Captain John Hook Griffin

Griffin earned the Bronze Star Medal; the Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon; the Commendation Ribbon; American Defense Service Medal, Fleet Clasp; American Campaign Medal; Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal; World War II Victory Medal; Navy Occupation Service Medal, Asia Clasp; and the Philippine Liberation Medal. He was also awarded the Silver Life Saving Medal "in recognition for bravery" in attempting to rescue a man from drowning on January 15, 1928.

John Hook Griffin was born on May 3, 1904, in Charleston, South Carolina, the son of Commodore Thomas E. Griffin, USN, and Mrs. (Emily Ash Claytor) Griffin. He attended Gilman School, Baltimore, Maryland, and the Severn School, Severna Park, Maryland, prior to his appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland, from his native state in 1921. As a Midshipman he participated in baseball. Graduated and commissioned Ensign on June 4, 1925, he subsequently attained the rank of Captain to date from July 20, 1943.

Following graduation from the Naval Academy in 1925, he joined the U.S.S. Pennsylvania, flagship of Division Three, Battleship Division, Battle Fleet. In May 1928 he transferred to the U.S.S. Paul Hamilton, and served in that destroyer, operating with Division Thirty-Two, Squadron Eleven, Destroyer Squadrons, Battle Fleet, until April 1929.

He then returned to the United States for flight training at the Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida. Designated Naval Aviator on January 18, 1930, he had consecutive duty with Utility Squadron One as Gunnery Officer and Patrol Squadron Seven, as Navigator.

After completing six months duty in the Bureau of Aeronautics, Navy Department, Washington, D.C., he reported in July 1932 for instruction in aviation ordnance at the Postgraduate School, Annapolis, Maryland. From March 1934 through June 1935 he had further instruction under the cognizance of the Postgraduate School at the Navy Yard, Washington, D.C.

Completing a tour of duty in June 1931 with Fighting Squadron One-B, based on the U.S.S. Langley and U.S.S. Lexington, successively, he joined Cruiser Scouting Squadron Six, attached to the U.S.S. Minneapolis. For two years, June 1938 to June 1940, he was assigned to the Aviation Desk, Fleet Training Division, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Navy Department, Washington, D.C.

He served until February 1941 as Executive Officer of Scouting Squadron Two, aboard the U.S.S. Lexington, after which he became Assistant Naval Attache and Assistant Naval Attache for Air at the American Embassy, London, England. Following a short assignment in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Navy Department, July to September 1941, he proceeded to the Naval Air Station, San Diego, California, for duty in connection with the establishment of, and later as, Officer in Charge of the Fighter Director School there.

The school was transferred to Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii, in 1942 and he served in like capacity there until March 1944. In this assignment he had temporary duty aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise and saw action in the Battles of Santa Cruz and Guadalcanal. For this temporary duty he is entitled to the ribbon for and a facsimile of the Presidential Unit Citation awarded the officers and men of the U.S.S. Enterprise.

From August 1944 to July 1945 he organized and commanded the Night Attack and Combat Training Unit, Barber's Point, Territory of Hawaii, and for this service was awarded the Bronze Star Medal. The citation reads in part:

"For exceptionally meritorious service...during operations against enemy Japanese forces in the Pacific War Area from August 1944, to May 1945. Demonstrating outstanding ability, (he) contributed materially to the development of night tactics, interception and night attack procedures and, by his personal experimentation, flying ability and supervision, aided in training night groups, units and teams into an effective fighting force against the enemy...".

In July 1945 he assumed command of the U.S.S. Salamanca, and was aboard that vessel when she served as an escort for the Japan Occupation Force. Following the cessation of hostilities in August 1945, the Salamanca was employed on "Magic Carpet" duty, transporting veterans back to the United States.

Relieved of command of that carrier escort in February 1946 he had duty in the Aviation Plans Division, Office of the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Air until August 1948. After completing the course at the National War College, Washington, D.C., he subsequently joined the Staff of Commander Operational Development Force, as Chief of Staff and Aide. He was placed under orders of December 15, 1950 to assume command of the U.S.S. Tarawa upon her reactivation which occurred on 3 February 1951.

On 23 July 1951 he was named Naval Member, Joint Air Force Defense Board, Ent Air Force Base, Colorado Springs, Colorado. On 17 June 1954 he was assigned as the Naval Representative for Project Lincoln at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston. .

Captain Griffin retired June 30, 1955. In 1934 he had married Elizabeth Marsden Smith of Baltimore, Maryland. She died in 1988. The couple had two children: Louise Nairn Griffin Eaton and Thomas Dillard Griffin. The captain died 12 may 1998 at the age of 94 at his retirement home in Annapolis, Maryland, where he had been actively involved in civic affairs for many years.

Service were held at St. Anne’s Episcopal Church in Annapolis, followed by a private burial.

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