Lt. Col. Kenneth S. Giles

Lieutenant Colonel Kenneth S. Giles, United States Air Force, Retired, of Santa Maria, California passed away on April 30, 2010.

Colonel Giles was born in Nashua, New Hampshire on March 14, 1924 to Charles and Marion Smith Giles. He graduated from Nashua High School, class of 1941. He served three years in the U.S. Marine Corps during WWII.

He graduated from the University of New Hampshire in 1949, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree, and a commission as Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force.

In 1950 he entered active duty and completed pilot training in 1952. He flew 100 missions in an F-86 Saber Jet during the Korean conflict. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters, and numerous other awards and decorations before his retirement in 1969.

Following his retirement, he was employed by the State of New Hampshire, Department of Employment Security for ten years.

As an avid golfer he was a member of the Nashua Country Club and the Vandenberg Golf Club. He was a member of the Disabled American Veterans, the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Air Force Association, the Retired Officer’s Association, the Knights of Columbus and the Santa Maria Elks Lodge #1538.

He was preceded in death by a son, William B. Giles; 2 sisters, Lucille Giles Shore and Doris H. Giles; a brother, Master Sergeant Charles H. Giles, U.S. Air Force Retired.

He is survived by two daughters and a son-in-law, Catherine and Roderick Ballance of Riverside, CA, and Mary E. Giles of Peachtree City, GA; a son and daughter-in-law, Lieutenant Colonel Thomas J. Giles, U.S. Army Retired and his wife Kim of Campton, New Hampshire; and a son, Master Chief Kevin B. Giles U.S. Navy Retired and his wife Vonnie of Mansfield, TX; three granddaughters, Chelsea, Lauren and Ashley and several nieces and nephews.

Following cremation his remains will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery.

Arrangements entrusted to McDermott-Crockett Mortuary Santa Barbara, CA.