Major William K. Giroux
U.S. Army Air Force, 5th Air Force, 8th Fighter Group, 36th Fighter Squadron
P-38 Lightning pilot & double ace
Background
William Kenneth Giroux (pronounced Gir-o) was born in Chicago, IL. Nicknamed "Kenny" and "Gyro". He completed four years of high school and worked as a welder and was married.
Wartime History
On March 20, 1942 enlisted in the the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as a private with serial number 16058746. He underwent flight training and advanced flight training at Luke Field. On February 6, 1943 earned his wings and commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant with serial number O-737057 with a total of 216 hours of training time.
His first assignment was with the 37th Fighter Group (37th FG), 30th Fighter Squadron (30th FS) and later 32nd Fighter Squadron (32nd FS) flying the P-40 Warhawk and P-39 Airacobra in the Canal Zone (CZ). During the summer of 1943 deployed overseas to the South West Pacific Area (SWPA).
During August 1943 assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 5th Fighter Command (5th FC) as a fighter pilot with 216 hours of training time and 152.5 flying fighters for a total of 368.5 hours of flying time. On September 13, 1943 assigned to the 8th Fighter Group (8th FG), 36th Fighter Squadron (36th FS) "The Flying Fiends" as a fighter pilot flying the P-47 Thunderbolt.
In early 1944 begin flying the P-38 Lightning. By early 1944, promoted to the rank of 1st Lieutenant. By the middle of 1944 promoted to the rank of Captain.
On October 30, 1944 took off piloting a P-38J Lightning on a mission and for his actions earned the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC).
On November 2, 1944 took off piloting a P-38J Lightning on a mission over Leyte flew directly over Japanese reinforcement convoy (TA Operation, Second Phase) unloading at Ormoc Bay and engaged Japanese fighters harassing an American bomber formation and claims three Hamps shot down between Ormoc Bay and Pacijan Island.
On December 26, 1944 took off from Hill Field on Mindoro piloting P-38L Lightning to attack the Japanese warships in the Mindoro Strait west of Mindoro. The weather was rain squalls from 1,500' to solid overcast at 5,000'. Due to the darkness and clouds, the formation nearly passed over the warships before they realized the enemy was below them and turned sharply to avoid expected anti-aircraft fire, but none was observed initially. For about 45 minutes, the P-38s made strafing runs on three warships and experienced anti-aircraft fire including tracers then turned back for Mindoro. On the return flight, Giroux found his right engine's coolant shutters were jammed shut and unable to be opened. Expecting the engine to overheat, he bailed out off western Mindoro and landed near shore.
Later, promoted to the rank of Major. During February 1945 returned to the United States.
Aerial victory claims
Giroux was officially credited with ten aerial victories flying the P-38 Lightning in the South West Pacific Area (SWPA). He also claimed three probables flying a P-47D Thunderbolt and a single plane damaged.
| Victory |
Date |
Time |
Location |
Claim |
Notes on Aerial Victory Claim |
Aircraft Flown |
| |
11/07/43 |
8:15 |
10 miles north of Nadzab |
Ki-21 Sally |
Claimed as probable. |
P-47D 42-22604 |
| 1 |
03/15/44 |
10:15 |
north of Kairiru Island |
A6M Zero |
First aerial victory claim. |
P-38H-1 Lightning |
| 2 |
07/27/44 |
12:40 |
Lolobata Airfield |
Ki-43 Oscar |
Second aerial victory claim. |
P-38J-15 Lightning |
| |
09/02/44 |
12:15 |
Davao |
Ki-48 Lily |
Claimed as damaged |
P-38J-15 Lightning |
| 3 |
11/02/44 |
12:15 |
Ormoc Bay |
A6M3 Hamp |
Third aerial victory claim. |
P-38J-20 Lightning |
| 4 |
11/02/44 |
12:15 |
25 miles west Camotes |
A6M3 Hamp |
Fourth aerial victory claim. |
P-38J-20 Lightning |
| 5 |
11/02/44 |
12:15 |
Pacijan |
A6M3 Hamp |
Fifth aerial victory claim, became an ace. |
P-38J-20 Lightning |
| 6 |
11/04/44 |
10:50 |
west of Saravia Airfield |
Ki-43 Oscar |
Sixth aerial victory claim. |
P-38J-20 Lightning |
| 7 |
11/04/44 |
10:50 |
west of Saravia Airfield |
Ki-43 Oscar |
Seventh aerial victory claim. |
P-38J-20 Lightning |
| 8 |
11/04/44 |
10:50 |
south of Saravia Airfield |
Ki-43 Oscar |
Eighth aerial victory claim. |
P-38J-20 Lightning |
| 9 |
11/06/44 |
11:45 |
Fabrica Airfield |
Ki-61 Tony |
Ninth aerial victory claim. |
P-38J-20 Lightning |
| 10 |
11/15/44 |
12:15 |
Alicante |
Ki-43 Oscar |
Tenth aerial victory claim "double ace". |
P-38J-20 Lightning |
 Aircraft Assigned
P-38 "Whilma II / Dead Eye Daisy" Number 14
P-38J Lightning 44-23255 Number 18 assigned to Giroux.
Awards
Giroux earned the Silver Star with gold star for his actions November 2, 1944 and November 4, 1944 plus the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) for his actions October 30, 1944 plus nine Air Medals.
References
NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records -
Giroux, William K.
USAF Historical Study No. 85 USAF Credits For The Destruction of Enemy Aircraft, World War II [PDF] Alphabetical: Giroux, William K. page 72 (PDF page 79)
Hall of Valor -
William Kenneth Giroux (award citations)
Stars & Bars (1995) pages 296 (Giroux)
P-38 Lightning Aces of the Pacific and CBI (1997) by John Stanaway page 89 (ace list,
Giroux 10)
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