John Griffith

Lieutenant (later Colonel) John Sharpe Griffith, (November 26, 1898 – October 14, 1974) was an American World War I flying ace credited with seven aerial victories while serving in the British Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force, also serving during the Allied intervention in the Russian Civil War. He returned to service during World War II in the United States Army Air Forces, and finally retired in 1956.

Early life

Griffith was born in Seattle, Washington, the son of C. E. Griffith, and was educated at Broadway High School. He finally left the Royal Air Force in 1921.

Bar to Distinguished Flying Cross Flying Officer John Sharpe Griffith, DFC. Between the 5th May and 24 July 1919, this officer carried out forty bomb raids and reconnaissances, all with great success and generally from a low altitude. On the 3rd June, 1919, he dived to within 100 feet of the ground and destroyed an enemy balloon, as well as several of its attendants. When a two-seater machine was not readily available he fitted a camera to his scout, and, although, it is very difficult to take photographs from such machines (and, moreover, he was inexperienced in such work); he succeeded in taking a very good mosaic which proved of great utility to the Commander of the Vologda Force. Flying Officer Griffith is an intrepid pilot and a very skilful all-round officer.

List of aerial victories +Combat record 4 6 May 1918@ 1115 S.E.5a(D3503) Albatros D.V Destroyed Guillaucourt Shared with Lieutenant William Duncan.5 16 May 1918@ 0845 S.E.5a(D3503) LVG C Destroyed Fampoux Shared with Lieutenant Herbert Hegarty.6 1 July 1918@ 0845 S.E.5a(D3503) Albatros D.V Destroyed Lamotte 7 7 July 1918@ 1140 S.E.5a(D5992) DFW C Destroyed Achiet-le-Grand