Kevin A. Gilroy, Colonel, USAF (Retired)
4 June 1936 -13 November 2013
On 13 November 2013, Kevin "Mike" Gilroy completed his final flight from this earth, ascending on Wings of Angels into the welcoming arms of his Lord. In the course of a lifetime, it is a rare privilege to encounter a person who, through their actions and deeds, serves as an unwavering beacon of light for the virtues of integrity, valor, compassion, and love. While we mourn his passing, we are comforted by the knowledge that Mike's spirit, bounded in life by these virtues, is indelibly imprinted in the hearts and minds of those who knew and loved this amazing husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and warrior.

Mike's extraordinary journey started in Menlo Park, California, June 4th, 1936, the day his proud parents Henry and Margaret welcomed their son into the world. The desire to serve, a lifelong hallmark of his character, initially guided Mike to attend St. Joseph's Seminary, with the objective of becoming a priest. This noble ambition was interceded by a calling to serve his country, resulting in Mike's decision to enlist in the United States Air Force in 1954, at the age of 17.

For the next six years, Mike performed duties as a jet engine mechanic on B-36 and B-47 aircraft. Even at this early point in his career, his unrelenting work ethic separated him from his peers, culminating in numerous awards, and an endorsement by his leadership to attend Officer Candidate School (OCS). Mike graduated from OCS in September 1960, determined to pursue his growing passion for aviation. Mike was initially slated to attend pilot training; however, during the pre-entry physical examination, it was determined that his sitting height exceeded the allowable limit for trainer cockpits of that era. Undeterred in his quest to become a military aviator, Mike re-channeled his efforts towards selection for navigator training – a decision that would have a profound impact on both the Air Force and the Nation.

Following graduation from navigator training, Mike was competitively selected to enter a newly formed specialty area of electronic combat, and was among the first group of Air Force aviators to attain the Electronic Warfare Officer (EWO) rating. Mike's legendary stature as the preeminent Air Force Electronic Warfare Officer was rooted in his initial assignment in 1962 as a B-52 EWO in the 7th Bomb Wing, Carswell AFB, Texas. In the ensuing four years, in spite of his relative youth and inexperience, Mike established a reputation as the top EWO in the Wing. During this period, he upgraded to Instructor EWO and Standardization Evaluator, was hand selected as the lead EWO for two significant systems and tactics developmental tests, received the 7th Bomb Wing Crew of the Year Award, and garnered a Spot Promotion to Captain.


In 1965, the Air Force, now heavily engaged in the Vietnam War, recognized the need to develop a means to seek out and destroy enemy surface to air missile systems (SAMS), which were wreaking havoc among the Fighter and Bomber strike packages destined for targets in North Vietnam. Thus, a new mission for the two seat version of the F-105 Thunderchief, coined "Wild Weasel," was born. Mike volunteered to become a member of the initial F-105 EWO cadre, and was deployed to Vietnam in May 1966. When he arrived in theater, he attacked the problem of poorly maintained electronic combat systems, and lack of effective tactics, with a vengeance. In the unforgiving arena of combat, he devised revolutionary new ways to employ the electronic countermeasures and weapon targeting systems. Between combat missions, he worked with maintenance to increase the reliability of these systems, and perhaps most significantly, shared his knowledge and lessons learned with his fellow crews. The results were astounding, and led to dramatic improvements in the 355th Tactical Fighter Wing's ability to consistently acquire, target, and destroy SAM systems. This, in turn, significantly improved the ability of strike packages to reach and destroy their targets – a strategic tipping point in the Vietnam War

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During his 8-month tour of duty in Vietnam, Mike was awarded eleven Air Medals, three Distinguished Flying Crosses, the Silver Star, and the Air Force Cross. The sheer magnitude of his impact on the success of his unit, the Air Force, and ultimately the Nation in the context of altering the course of the Vietnam War, is difficult to quantify in words. Mike's Wing Commander, whom he flew with in combat, had this to say:
"His absolute bravery in the face of overwhelming combat odds is matched by his ability to do the most demanding job to perfection. As a professional fighter pilot, I never thought I would see the day that I would vote for an EWO to go all the way to the top in this Air Force, but I vote for Captain Gilroy. He is so exceptional that unless we promote him immediately and monitor his assignments to ensure rapid future promotions, we, the Air Force, will be making a mistake."

For the next 21 years of his Air Force career, Mike amassed an unparalleled record of personal achievements. He was promoted early to Major, Lt Colonel, and Colonel, and competitively selected to attend both Air Command and Staff College and Air War College. He commanded a Munitions Squadron, served as the Air Force Chief of Electronic Warfare, and was the Chairman of the Combat Support Systems Test and Evaluation branch for the Office of the Secretary of Defense. In 1980, Mike was selected to command the Air Force Electronic Warfare Center, and in 1984, was chosen for the prestigious "dual hatted" position of Chairman of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Electronic Warfare Advisory Committee, and Chief of the Electronic Warfare Branch.

From the outset of his EWO career, Mike relentlessly and passionately carried the torch for Electronic Warfare, and in doing so directly impacted the Nation's ability to wage war. The testament to his efforts lay in the success achieved by the Air Force and Nation during the Cold War, and subsequent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. During these conflicts, the ability to counter and destroy the enemy's electronically guided weapons systems were pivotal, and saved countless lives. If this list of accomplishments were read in Mike's presence, he would undoubtedly cast his eyes away from the podium, a typical sign of the humility indigenous to his central character. Those who knew and served with Mike know that for him, the ultimate reward lay in the knowledge that future generations of Electronic Warfare Officers were able to reap the benefits of his efforts. In a fitting tribute, on February 1st, 1987, the day of his retirement from active duty, the Air Force instituted the Colonel Mike Gilroy Award, which is given to the top graduate of each Air Force Electronic Warfare Officer training class.

Mike's love of country was surpassed only by his love for his family. With his first wife Mary Nell, whose life was tragically cut short in 1978 by cancer, he fathered and raised two beautiful children, Michael and Denise. In 1983, during his tenure as Commander of the Air Force Electronic Warfare Center, Mike fell in love with and married an extraordinary and beautiful woman named Patricia, who would be his soul mate for the remainder of his life.

Following retirement from the Air Force, Mike and Patricia moved to Gilroy, California, a city of 40,000 people in the heart of the Silicon Valley named after Mike's Great-Great Grandfather, John Gilroy. Again compelled by the call to serve, Mike became involved in local politics, serving on 10 local county boards and commissions, and ultimately serving as Mayor from 1997-1999. During this period, he also served as the National Commander of the Legion of Valor, the nation's oldest veterans organization, whose membership is limited to recipients of the Medal of Honor, Navy Cross, Air Force Cross, and Distinguished Service Medal.
Following his public service in Gilroy, Mike and Patricia moved to Florida, and then San Antonio, for the purpose of spending time with their families. They served as a pillars of strength, support, and mentorship for an extended clan that now included daughter-in-law Patty (Steve) Brekke; son-in- law Mitch Williams; grandchildren Chris (Kristen), Tim (Elise), Ragen, Michael Quinn, and Ryan; and great-grandchildren Paige and Adlin. Mike is also survived by his sisters Irene (George) Kusch and Henrietta Synder, brother Michael, a plethora of nieces, nephews, and cousins here in the United States, Great Britain, and Ireland and his ever faithful golden retriever, Maximillian.

An uncompromising quest for excellence; courage in the face of adversity; fortitude to do the right thing at all times. Guiding principles of life, so clear in meaning, yet so difficult to consistently apply. Mike Gilroy lived by these principles every day of his life, and thus forged a legacy which occupies a rightful place among the pantheon of American Heroes. He touched countless lives in a meaningful way, and gave his family the precious gift of unconditional love. Godspeed, Mike Gilroy, may you rest in peace.

Memorial Service and Interment:

Randolph AFB Memorial Service: A Memorial Service will be held at Randolph Air Force Base Chapel 1, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, on 21 November 2013 at 11 AM. A reception will follow at Randolph Air Force Base Officers Club. Those attending the memorial service who do not have a military ID or common access card should please contact 12 FTW Protocol, Sharon McDaniel, at 210-652-2061 or Sharon.mcdaniel@us.af.mil. You will be placed on an access roster and entry will be via the main gate at Pat Booker road.

Gilroy, California Funeral Mass and Interment: Mass in Gilroy, California, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, followed by burial at St. Mary Cemetery. Date/Time: 3 December 2013, 11AM.

Memorials in Mike Gilroy's name may be made to the following organizations:

Air Warrior Courage Foundation: P.O. Box 877, Silver Spring, Md., 20918. (BAMC Troop Support)

San Antonio Metropolitan Ballet Company: 2800 NE Loop 410, ste 307, San Antonio, Tx 78218.

Mike Gilroy Memorial Scholarship Fund: P.O. Box 744, Gilroy, Ca., 95021.