Kevin A. Gilroy

Kevin Alfred Gilroy (June 4, 1936 – November 13, 2013) was a United States Air Force (USAF) colonel and was one of the most highly decorated Electronic Warfare Officers in the USAF. After his retirement from the Air Force, he served as the mayor of the city of Gilroy.

Early life Gilroy was born on June 4, 1936, to Henry and Margaret Gilroy, in Menlo Park, California. He attended a seminary with the intention of becoming a priest before deciding to enlist in the U.S. Air Force.

Military career On December 11, 1953, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and was trained as a jet engine mechanic. He served as a jet engine mechanic for Convair B-36 Peacemaker and Boeing B-47 Stratojet aircraft. From December 1957 to March 1958, he left active duty briefly and served in the Air Force Reserve.

Vietnam war

From May to November 1965, during the Vietnam War, the 9th BS was deployed to Andersen Air Force Base 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.

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.

Gilroy flew a total of 100 Wild Weasel missions in the F-105F during the war.

Post war After 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.

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 November 13, 2013, and was buried with full military honors at St. Mary Cemetery in Gilroy.

Personal life Gilroy was married twice and had a son and daughter, and several grand and great-grandchildren.

Military decorations During his lengthy career, Gilroy earned many decorations, including:

United States Air Force Master Navigator badgeAir Force CrossSilver StarLegion of MeritDistinguished Flying Crosswith two bronze oak leaf clustersPurple HeartDefense Meritorious Service MedalMeritorious Service Medalwith two bronze oak leaf clustersAir Medalwith two silver oak leaf clustersAir Force Commendation Medalwith two bronze oak leaf clustersAir Force Presidential Unit CitationAir Force Outstanding Unit Awardwith Valor device and three bronze oak leaf clustersAir Force Organizational Excellence AwardCombat Readiness MedalArmy Good Conduct MedalNational Defense Service Medalwith service starArmed Forces Expeditionary MedalVietnam Service Medalwith three bronze campaign starsKorea Defense Service MedalAir Force Overseas Short Tour Service Ribbonwith bronze oak leaf clusterAir Force Overseas Long Tour Service RibbonAir Force Longevity Service Awardwith one silver and two bronze oak leaf clustersSmall Arms Expert Marksmanship RibbonAir Force Training RibbonVietnam Gallantry Cross Unit CitationVietnam Campaign Medal

Air Force Cross citation

Citation The President of the United States of America, authorized by Title 10, Section 8742, United States Code, presents 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.