Samuel Charles Grashio (April 1, 1918 – October 3, 1999)[1] was a United States Army Air Forces pilot who was captured by the Japanese in World War II.

[2] On December 8, the same day as the attack on Pearl Harbor (on the other side of the International Date Line), he flew from Nichols Field to engage in aerial combat against the Japanese in his Curtis P-40E fighter airplane.

Finally, in October, he was among 1000 prisoners judged fit to work; they were moved to a lumber camp on Mindanao (Davao Region) to engage in manual labor.

[2] Grashio and his squadron commander, Lieutenant Ed Dyess, eight other Americans, including Austin Shofner,[5]: 166  and two Filipinos escaped into the jungle on Sunday, April 4, 1943.

[11] The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Second Lieutenant (Air Corps) Samuel Charles Grashio, United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Philippine Guerilla Forces during the period 4 April 1943 through 12 October 1943.

The officers remained with the guerillas for weeks, obtaining vital information which they carried with them when they were subsequently evacuated by American submarines.

The personal courage and zealous devotion to duty displayed by Second Lieutenant Grashio during this period have upheld the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the Prisoner of War, and the United States Army Air Forces.