Air Medal presented to WWII veteran

  • Published
  • By Marie Vanover
  • 377th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
Kirtland Air Force Base, NM --  Family and friends gathered April 6 to honor 2nd Lt. Robert L. Giles, who received the Air Medal, which recognizes single acts of merit or heroism.

A World War II veteran and prisoner of war, Lieutenant Giles served in the Army Air Corps from 1942 to 1945. He was assigned to the 333rd Bomb Squadron, 94th Bomb Group, at Bury St. Edmunds Airfield, Suffolk, East Anglia, England.

During his fifth combat mission, on April 18, 1944, his aircraft, along with 10 other B-17s, was shot down over Germany. Although wounded in one arm, Lieutenant Giles took life-saving actions to save the aircraft's bombardier, Lieutenant Quentin Brown, who was severely wounded.

Both officers became prisoners of war, and then were liberated from Stalag Luft III in June 1945.

Col. Fred Hartwig, 150th Fighter Wing commander, who presented the medal, said it was an honor and privilege.

"Our nation is extremely grateful for your heroism and dedication -- your actions are a reflection of your character and sacrifice," he said.

Mr. Lee Aston, 44th Bomb Group veteran and Director, 44th Bomb Group Veterans Association, also spoke of Lieutenant Giles' heroism and described him as a "fine Christian soldier who, with one arm broken, saved the life of his bombardier."

In his remarks, Lieutenant Giles thanked everyone for attending the ceremony and reminisced about his friendship with Lieutenant Brown.

"We were friends before we were shot down and our friendship became stronger over the years," he said.

Lieutenant Giles' other awards and decorations include the Purple Heart, Prisoner of War Medal, American Campaign Medal, European-African Middle-Eastern Campaign Medal with one Bronze Star, and the World War II Victory Medal.