.jpg)
Kevin Alfred Gilroy („Mike“, * 4. Juni 1936, Menlo Park, Kalifornien, Vereinigte Staaten; † 13. November 2013, Spring Branch, Texas) war ein Colonel der amerikanischen United States Air Force (USAF). Er war einer der höchst dekorierten Electronic Warfare Officers der USAF. Nach seiner Pensionierung bei der Air Force diente er als Bürgermeister der Stadt Gilroy in Kalifornien.
Leben
BearbeitenJugend
BearbeitenGilroy wurde am 4. Juni 1936 in Menlo Park, Kalifornien, geboren. Seine Eltern waren Henry und Margaret Gilroy. Er besuchte ein Priesterseminar und wollte Priester werden, entschied sich dann doch zur U.S. Air Force zu gehen.[1][2]
Militärische Karriere
BearbeitenAm 11. Dezember 1953 meldete er sich bei der US Air Force und wurde zum Triebwerkmechaniker ausgebildet. Er diente als Triebwerkmechaniker für die Flugzeuge Convair B-36 Peacemaker und Boeing B-47 Stratojet. Von Dezember 1957 bis März 1958 verließ er den aktiven Dienst kurzzeitig und diente in der Air Force Reserve.[1]
Im Juni 1960 trat Gilroy in die Air Force Officer Training School auf dem Luftwaffenstützpunkt Lackland in Texas ein und wurde im September 1960 zum second lieutenant befördert. Nach seiner Beförderung absolvierte er eine Ausbildung zum Navigator auf dem Luftwaffenstützpunkt Harlingen in Texas und erhielt im August 1961 seine Navigator Wings. Anschließend besuchte er eine Ausbildung zum Electronic Warfare Officer (EWO) und eine Ausbildung zur Boeing B-52 Stratofortress Combat Crew. Im August 1962 wurde er dem 9. Bombergeschwader auf dem Luftwaffenstützpunkt Carswell in Texas zugeteilt.[1][3]
Vietnamkrieg
Bearbeiten
Von Mai bis November 1965, während des Vietnamkriegs, wurde das 9. Bombergeschwader auf dem Andersen Air Force Base in Guam eingesetzt, um die Missionen der Operation Arc Light zu unterstützen. Während dieser Zeit flog Gilroy zwischen Juni und November 1965 19 Kampfeinsätze als EWO in B-52s Vietnam War, the 9th BS was deployed to ]] in Guam in support of Operation Arc Light missions. During this time, Gilroy flew 19 combat missions as an EWO in B-52s between June and November 1965.[3][4]
Following his return to the United States, he underwent F-105 Thunderchief Combat Crew and Wild Weasel training, and was assigned as an F-105F Thunderchief EWO with the 354th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base in Thailand, in July 1966. On August 7, 1966, he participated in a mission to destroy surface-to-air missile (SAM) installations near military targets in Hanoi, North Vietnam. Despite extremely hazardous conditions, Gilroy directed his F-105F in attacking the SAM installations. For actions in the mission, he received the Silver Star.[3][5][2]
While flying his 11th combat mission, his F-105F was severely damaged by anti-aircraft fire causing both his pilot and him to bail out over the Gulf of Tonkin. After being rescued, he continued fly missions from March 10, 1967. On that day, Gilroy and his pilot Merlyn Dethlefsen flew a pre-strike missile suppression mission of the SAM site protecting the iron and steel works in Thái Nguyên, North Vietnam. Gilroy provided guidance to Dethlefsen in attacking the SAM site. Despite the loss of their flight leader and another aircraft in their flight, Gilroy and Dethlefsen managed to destroy the SAM site. Although their aircraft had suffered extensive battle damage and was under constant attack by North Vietnamese MiG interceptors and anti-aircraft fire, the strike force were successfully able to destroy the target. For their heroism in this mission, Gilroy received the Air Force Cross and Dethlefsen was awarded the Medal of Honor.[6][7]
Gilroy flew a total of 100 Wild Weasel missions in the F-105F during the war.[8]
Post war
BearbeitenAfter his return to the United States in June 1967, he was assigned as a Wild Weasel EWO Instructor at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada. He continued to serve as an EWO on the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II and General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark. From January to February 1968, he was deployed to South Korea in response to the Pueblo incident. Gilroy attended the Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama, from August 1969 to July 1970. Following this, Gilroy served in a variety of positions, including commander of a military logistics division in Eskisehir, Turkey, from June 1973 to May 1974, commander of the Air Force Electronic Warfare Center from July 1980 to July 1983 and chairman of the NATO Electronic Warfare Advisory Committee in Brussels, Belgium, from July 1984 until his retirement from the Air Force on February 1, 1987.[3][8] Upon his retirement, the Air Force Electronic Warfare Officers School named its top class graduate award after Gilroy.[8]
Later life
BearbeitenIn 1991, Gilroy was elected into the city council of Gilroy, California, a city founded by his great-great-grandfather John Gilroy. In 1997, he was elected as the mayor of the city. During his tenure as the mayor of Gilroy, he oversaw the creation of the city's downtown development corporation and led numerous efforts against gang violence. He served as mayor until 1999.[9][10]
Following his retirement from political life, Gilroy and his family moved to Gulf Breeze, Florida before finally settling in Spring Branch, Texas. He died on 13. November 2013, and was buried with full military honors at St. Mary Cemetery in Gilroy.[8][1]
Familie
BearbeitenGilroy was married twice and had a son and daughter, and several grand and great-grandchildren.[1]
Military decorations
BearbeitenDuring his lengthy career, Gilroy earned many decorations, including:
| ||
|
| ||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Air Force Cross citation
Bearbeiten
Citation
BearbeitenThe President of the United States of America, authorized by Title 10, Section 8742, United States Code, takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Cross to Captain Kevin Alfred Gilroy, United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism while serving as Electronics Warfare Officer of an F-105 aircraft of the with the 354th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 355th Tactical Fighter Wing, Takhli Royal Thai Air Base, engaged in a pre-strike, missile suppression mission against the Thai Nguyen Steel Works in North Vietnam on March 10, 1967. On that date, Captain Gilroy guided his pilot in attacking and destroying a surface-to-air missile installation protecting one of the most important industrial complexes in North Vietnam. He accomplished this feat even after formidable hostile defenses had destroyed the lead aircraft and had crippled a second. Though his own aircraft suffered extensive battle damage and was under constant attack by MiG interceptors, anti-aircraft artillery, automatic weapons, and small arms fire, Captain Gilroy aligned several ingenious close range attacks on the hostile defenses at great risk to his own life. Due to his technical skill, the attacks were successful and the strike force was able to bomb the target without loss. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship and aggressiveness, Captain Gilroy has reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.[5]
Weblinks
Bearbeiten- Patricia K. Seinwill: Anatomy of Modern Courage: Highlights From the Career of Colonel Kevin A. “Mike” Gilroy. Major, USAF (Air University) airuniversity.af.edu.
Einzelnachweise
Bearbeiten- ↑ a b c d e Kevin A. Gilroy, Colonel, USAF (Retired). In: Crofts - Crow Funeral Home. 2013, abgerufen am 20. Juni 2023 (englisch).
- ↑ a b Jack Foley: Gilroy family remembers close call for war hero, former mayor. In: Gilroy Dispatch. 14. August 2015, abgerufen am 20. Juni 2023 (englisch).
- ↑ a b c d Kevin A. Gilroy. In: Veteran Tributes. Abgerufen am 20. Juni 2023 (englisch).
- ↑ 9th Bomb Squadron. In: Global Security. Abgerufen am 20. Juni 2023 (englisch).
- ↑ a b Kevin Gilroy. In: Military Times. Abgerufen am 20. Juni 2023 (englisch).
- ↑ Kevin Gilroy. In: Gathering of Eagles. Abgerufen am 20. Juni 2023 (englisch).
- ↑ John T. Correll: Calculated Courage at Thai Nguyen. In: Air Force Magazine. 1. Februar 2006, abgerufen am 20. Juni 2023 (englisch).
- ↑ a b c d Trish Seinwell: 12th Flying Training Wing honors highly decorated electronic warfare officer. In: Joint Base San Antonio. 22. November 2013, abgerufen am 20. Juni 2023 (englisch).
- ↑ Mark Derry, Blair Franklin: Former Gilroy mayor passes at 77. In: Morgan Hill The Times. 13. November 2013, abgerufen am 20. Juni 2023 (englisch).
- ↑ Michael McCabe: Gilroy Mayor Comes Back To His Roots / Air Force colonel retires to home of ancestors. In: SFGate. 20. November 1997, abgerufen am 20. Juni 2023 (englisch).
[[Kategorie: [[Kategorie:Geboren 1936]] [[Kategorie:Gestorben 2013]] [[Kategorie:Mann]] {{Personendaten |NAME= Gilroy, Kevin |ALTERNATIVNAMEN= |KURZBESCHREIBUNG= US-amerikanischer Militär |GEBURTSDATUM= 4. Juni 1936 |GEBURTSORT=[[Menlo Park]], [[Kalifornien]], [[Vereinigte Staaten]] |STERBEDATUM= 13. November 2013 |STERBEORT=[[Spring Branch (Ort in Texas)]], [[Texas]] }} Recipients of the Air Force Cross (United States)]] [[Category:Recipients of the Silver Star]] [[Category:Recipients of the Legion of Merit]] [[Category:Recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)]] [[Category:Recipients of the Meritorious Service Medal (United States)]] [[Category:Recipients of the Air Medal]] [[Category:United States Air Force personnel of the Vietnam War]] [[Category:People from Menlo Park, California]] [[Category:Military personnel from California]] [[Category:Mayors of places in California]] [[Category:California city council members]] [[Category:Shot-down aviators]] [[Category:United States Air Force colonels]]