Juan M. Ridout
|
| Age: |
|
29 |
| Hometown: |
Oak Harbor, Washington |
| Date of Death: |
2/21/02 |
| Incident Location: |
Philippines |
| Branch of Military: |
|
Air Force |
| Rank: |
Staff Sgt. |
| Unit: |
353rd Special Operations Group |
| Unit's Base: |
Kadena Air Base, Japan |
|
An expert swimmer, parachutist, demolitions technician and paramedic, Staff Sgt. Ridout was named his special forces squadron's pararescueman of the year in 1999 for his heroism. In May of that year, he rescued an F-16 pilot who had been shot down by a missile in Serbia. He exchanged gunfire with enemy forces before helping rescue Col. Dave Goldfein, military officials said.