Peter James Giroux

Colonel Peter James Giroux, 77, passed away Thursday, October 28, 2021, surrounded in love by his wife Mareyn, and his sons Chris and Patrick. Peter was born in Ithaca, NY, to Veronica and Joseph Giroux, grew up in Trumansburg and graduated in the class of 1962. He earned a bachelor’s degree from LeMoyne College in 1966 and entered the Air Force and was commissioned through Officers Training School. Following USAF Undergraduate Pilot Training, he was assigned to fly the EC-121R and completed a 12 month combat tour from Korat, Thailand. His next assignment included training in the B-52D where he advanced from copilot to Aircraft Commander. While stationed at March AFB in Riverside Ca. he met his future wife, Mareyn White. They married in 1971, before he redeployed overseas as a Captain. Capt. Giroux flew missions as a part of the U.S. air offensive over North Vietnam. While on his third mission over Hanoi, his B-52 was struck by a surface to air missile and he and his crew were forced to eject. Colonel Giroux was captured on landing by the North Vietnamese and taken prisoner and was kept at the “Hanoi Hilton,” although he was listed as MIA for a month. Peter continued to downplay the length of his internment as a “short visit” in relation to the others kept there. Due to injuries sustained in his ejection, he was among those released on the first aircraft to return American prisoners from captivity. After recuperation from his injuries, Col. Giroux completed Squadron Officers School in residence and his master’s degree in Business Administration at Syracuse University. Peter and Mareyn continued to serve in the Air Force, moving where their country needed them, as their family expanded with the births of their sons, Christopher and Patrick. Peter was a career military man, with 28 years of service in various capacities, including several base commander posts. After his retirement, Peter furthered his education with an additional Masters degree, this time for Public Administration at WSU. He worked for his community at the Sedgwick County Finance Department, where his meticulousness and dry quips served him well. He also brought a studiousness to most everything he did, from washing the car, to selecting major appliances, to reading for enjoyment. He was passionate about his Catholic faith and his friends at church. His love for aviation continued on in the form of a leadership position in the pilots’ group Daedalians. Peter supported his 4th Allied POW Wing, joining the returned veterans and their families annually across the nation. He was a booster of the Nature Conservancy, the Wichita Eagle, and KMUW Public Radio. He read widely and followed many things. He could talk about a variety of topics: current events, sports, or F1 racing. He would frequently talk with his brothers about any of them, and they bonded with each other in their own unique way. Although a dedicated career military man, Peter was still there for his family. Mareyn called him “our rock”. Like a rock, he could be a hard head, but he would share his pebbles of sardonic humor frequently, in plenty of “Peter-isms.” Most importantly, he would want everyone to remember to “Never let the Turkeys get you down.” You had to know him to understand. Peter is survived by his wife, Mareyn Giroux, his two sons, Patrick Giroux (Caterina), Chris Giroux (Cathy), five grandchildren and his brothers Thomas Giroux and Gerald Giroux. Funeral services will be held at St Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, in Andover, KS, on Friday, Nov. 12, 2021, at 11 a.m. Decorations, Medals, and Badges: Legion of Merit; Distinguished Flying Cross with one Oak Leaf Cluster; Bronze Star Medal with Combat Distinguished Device Valor; Purple Heart with one Oak Leaf Cluster; Defense Meritorious Service Medal; Meritorious service medal with six oak leaf clusters; Air medal with thirteen oak leaf clusters; Air Force (AF) achievement medal; Distinguished-Presidential Unit Citation; AF Outstanding Unit Award with Valor Device with Eight Oak Leaf Clusters; Prisoner of War medal; National Defense Service Medal with One Bronze Service Star; Vietnam Service Medal with Six Bronze Service Stars; AF Short Tour Ribbon with One Oak Leaf Cluster; AF Longevity Service Award Ribbon with Six Oak Leaf Clusters; Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon; AF Training Ribbon; Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Device; Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal