MICHAEL GRUBB JR.

Staff Sergeant Mike Grubb Jr. served with distinction in the United States Air Force from 2001 to 2011, completing ten years of highly specialized service in airborne intelligence operations.

As an Airborne Cryptologic Linguist and Data Link Operator aboard the RC-135 Rivet Joint, Mike supported classified intelligence missions critical to national security. A graduate of the Defense Language Institute, he completed both basic and advanced Korean language training and maintained perfect DLPT scores throughout his career. He also earned an associate degree in Korean Linguistics, a bachelor’s degree in Intelligence Studies, and a master’s degree in Planetary Science and Space Studies.

Mike served in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom from 2004 to 2011, assigned to the 97th Intelligence Squadron at Offutt Air Force Base and the 390th Intelligence Squadron at Kadena Air Base. Over the course of his service, he flew more than 150 combat missions over Iraq and Afghanistan, totaling over 1,500 flight hours. He also accumulated more than 1,000 ISR hours over Korea and contributed over 1,000 instructional hours training and preparing fellow airmen for mission success.

His advanced military training included Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE), encompassing water survival, combat survival, and political hostage survival. For his service and performance, Mike received numerous commendations, including six Air Medals with five oak leaf clusters, the Meritorious Unit Award with two oak leaf clusters, the Combat Readiness Medal, the Air Force Good Conduct Medal, the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, and the Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon.