MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- 2nd Lt. John G. Caraberis was posthumously awarded the Silver Star Medal for his courageous acts during his time as an Army Air Corps B-17 Flying Fortress pilot during World War II at MacDill Air Force Base Fla., Nov. 4, 2016.
The Silver Star Medal is the third-highest military combat decoration awarded to members of the U.S. Armed Services.
Although Caraberis passed away in 1971 at the age of 51, his family was able to come together with the help of Sonny Fassoulis, the navigator on the flight, to get him the recognition he deserved.
The event started with a video presentation from the family to honor the time Caraberis served in the Army Air Corps.
After the video, Fassoulis spoke briefly about Carraberis, highlighting some of the heroic acts undertaken during their time together.
According to the account given by Fassoulis, during a mission in 1943, Caraberis and his crew were shot down and eventually captured by opposing forces. Despite all odds being against Caraberis and his crew, he managed to rally his team and plan an escape.
After escaping, Caraberis led his team and other prisoners to the allied front where he was wounded, but not before giving a warning allowing the men following him to avoid capture and return to the Allies.
“Carraberis being a master of language somehow taught himself Italian while we were captured,” said Fassoulis. “He used this to communicate with an Italian friend of his to aid in our escape and eventual return to the Allied Forces.”
After Fassoulis spoke, Margaret Carraberis stood and received the Silver Star Medal from Lt. General Charles Q. Brown, the deputy director of U.S. Central Command.
“My father was a strong, courageous and honorable man,” said John Caraberis Jr. “It is really great to be here and see him awarded for everything he gave.”
The award given to the family states “By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Lietenant Caraberis has reflected great credit upon himself and the Unites States Army Air Corp.”