Steve Chirigotis was born on August 3, 1924, in New Bedford, Massachusetts where he grew up and went to school. He was the son of Anthony Chirigotis and Pota Levakos, both from Githio Greece, who emigrated in the United States in 1912. During WW2 Steve, originally named as “Stavalus Tserigotis” enlisted in the United States Army Air Force and trained as a gunner/radio operator. He was posted for overseas duty in Europe, specifically the 15th AF and flew missions from Pantanella Army Air Base, Italy, serving with the 781st BS, 465th BG. He flew his first mission on 10 May 1944 during an attack on Aircraft Factory beaded in Wiener Neustadt, Austria. He was awarded the Air Medal in June 1944. His first mission was flown with the B-24 ‘Hells Belles’ which unfortunately lost while flown by another crew when it was shot down over Ploesti Oil Field, Rumania. His most memorable mission took place on (23/24th Mission) on 8 July 1944 during the bombing of the Florisdorfer Oil Refinery in Vienna, Austria where he received a Unit Citation and awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC). The same month Staff Sergeant Chirigotis awarded an Oak Leaf Cluster to his Air Medal and the next month he gained two more. On September 2, 1944, he flew his 50th and last mission of his tour, a mission against Rail Yards, Nis, Yugoslavia. During his service with the 465th BG, he claimed two probable kills. Steve Chirigotis remained in active service and contributed to the Korean War were he was awarded the Korean War Medal with two Battle Stars. Upon his retirement on August 3, 1984, he rises to the rank of a Colonel of the United States Air Force and till our days he proudly recounts his days in WW2, as a member of the Greatest of the Generations.

DFC CITATION

"The Colonel and crew were cited by the US War Department and European Headquarters ETOUSA* for outstanding performance in armed conflict with the enemy. Colonel Chirigotis and crew of ten men were each awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for the outstanding mission and performance of duty in the bombing raid on Florisdofer Oil Refinery and railroad marshaling yards at Vienna, Austria. On 8 July 1944, twenty-two (22) B-24 type aircraft, heavily loaded with 1000 pound bombs were launched by the 465th Bomb Group (H) from the home base in Southern Italy with destination Vienna. Enroute, due to mechanical difficulties, eight (8) bombers were forced to return to base, seriously weakening the defensive formation. Undaunted by seemingly overwhelming odds, the remaining ships were molded into a tight formation and the gallant crews continued on course. On approach to the target, the formation encountered an extremely heavy anti-aircraft barrage, effecting severe damage on the group. Heedless of the intense and heavy enemy fire, displaying superior coordination and outstanding professional skill, the courageous crews brought their aircraft through the fire alley for a highly successful bombing run, inflicting grave damage to vital installations and supplies. Leaving the objective, the group formation was aggressively attacked by approximately twenty-five (25) enemy fighters. The gallant gunners accounted for seven (7) enemy aircraft destroyed and three (3) damaged, with their losses held to a minimum of one (1) bomber. Thirteen (13) bombers and crews returned safely to base."