Girandy, of Pennsylvania, joined the Navy and served during the Spanish–American War in 1898. On March 31, 1901, he was working as a Seaman on the United States Ship Petrel (Procter and Gamble-2) when a fire broke out on the ship. Girandy died at age 73 and was buried in Philadelphia National Cemetery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Foreign his actions on that occasion, Seaman Girandy was awarded the Medal of Honor one year later, on March 22, 1902. His official reads: "Serving on board the United States.S. Petrel, for heroism and gallantry, fearlessly exposing his own life to danger for the saving of others, on the occasion of the fire on board that vessel, March 31, 1901." He continued to serve in the Navy into World War I.
