Page 16 - DFCS News Magazine Summer 2013

By Mark Carlson
What do we mean when we call someone a hero? Most often it describes a person who willingly and knowingly puts them- selves in danger while performing a deed for the good of others. There have been heroes in American history from before the Revo- lution. And countless more whose selfless deeds and sacrifices will never be known. In short, a true hero is someone who does their job without regard to their safety or fate and accepts the conse- quences.
Such a man was Captain Wallace S. ‘Griff’ Griffin, USN.
From childhood all he wanted to do was join the Navy, which he did in 1940. At first, he was content to be an aircraft me- chanic, but soon that paled in comparison to the possibility of being a pilot. When the war started, Griff was eager to go and fight the Japanese.
By any definition he was a Naval hero of the Second World War, where he flew combat missions in the Pacific. Day after day in late 1944 Griff climbed into his
SB2C Helldiver dive bomber and took off from the USS Lexington, headed for heavily defended targets on Luzon, Formosa, Tinian, Saipan and Guam.
He survived attacks by Japanese fighters, Kamikazes, and ambushes by concealed anti-aircraft defenses. He participated in attacks on the last Japanese carriers, the super battleship, Musashi, and a cruiser in Manila Bay.
After returning from his first tour, he volunteered to go again; but this time as a Corsair pilot, trained to launch a highly dangerous solid-fuel rocket into caves and bunkers in the impending invasion of Japan. He knew full well his chances of survival were minimal, but he was ready to go anyway.
Like hundreds of thousands of other airmen, sailors, Marines and soldiers, Griff pushed his fears aside and did his part in the hard-
won victory.
Griff was awarded two DFCs, the Air Medal with three gold stars, and the Presidential Unit Citation, retiring from the Navy in 1965 after twenty-five years of service to our nation. He wore the blue uni- form of United States Naval officer with fierce
pride and patriotism. He loved flying, and when at the controls of a dive bomber, fighter or attack plane, Griff gave it his all.
But there is another definition of hero. This kind of hero is rarely recognized. Someone who has lived their life doing their best at whatever job they are given without complaint, accepts responsibil- ity for their actions, gives more than they take and follow the Gold- en Rule, is a hero too. Griff was a devoted and hard-working hus- band and father. As he was taught by his own father, an Irish- American immigrant, he believed the family was the core of Ameri- ca’s strength and future. He took care of his family, insuring they were educated and had a solid foundation to build on.
The father of four daughters, Griff was also the grandfather of six, and the great-grandfather of five. Three generations of new Ameri- cans. He taught his children to pass on the lessons he learned to the
next generations and beyond. There are no monuments or medals for heroes like this, but our country was built by men like Griff. As an Irish-American, he took his patriotism and duty seriously, never compromising his principles or values.
Long after he retired from the Navy, he volunteered as a docent on the USS Midway Museum, telling his stories and educating children about the war and his generation.
That’s where I first met Captain Griffin in early 2010. I was re- searching for an article about dive bombing, but after hours of lis- tening to his stories and views on life, I knew I had found some- thing remarkable. In time Griff became more than a crusty old Navy veteran, more than a member of the Greatest Generation, even more than the subject of numerous magazine articles. He became a special friend. Linda Stull and I enjoyed having lunch with him, attending air shows and museum events. After learning his favorite plane was the N2S Stearman he’d flown at NAS Jacksonville in 1943, we arranged for him to get a ride in one, on Super Bowl Sun- day, 2011. The look on his face as pilot, Dave Derby, turned the Navy Yellow biplane towards the Gillespie Airport runway was priceless. Griff was the happiest old salt on Earth. He never forgot that day. It remains one of my fondest memories and something I’ll always be glad I played a part in. We also introduced Griff to John W. Finn, the oldest living Medal of Honor recipient. Griff had always wanted to meet the 100-year old veteran of 7 December 1941, but it had never happened. I knew John and invited Griff to come along with us. Linda and I drove him out to John’s home in Pine Valley, and for the next few hours the two old Navy veterans shared sto- ries and memories of common friends. What I remember most is how much he appreciated the gifts he was given and how much he gave credit to others.
Generous with his time, Griff always gave more than he took, never asked anyone to do something he hadn’t done himself, and treated everyone, young and old, male or female, civilian or veteran the same. With respect and kindness.
There are few like him left and the world is a poorer place without him. But it is also a better place because of him and we, those who have been blessed to know and love him are better people.
Heroes are made, not born. And Griff was in every sense of the word, a hero.
I believe there is a special place in Heaven for people like Griff. They have earned their place not because of their piety or devotion to their god, but for being good men, for carrying on de- spite all odds and living the best life they can. On a personal note, I’ve al- ways thought that if I reached Heaven, the one person whom I would see there would be my own father. But now I think there would be another man there. Griff Griffin. For my money he was one of the grandest men I ever knew. I will always cherish my time with him and am proud to have been his friend.
The DFC News Magazine is the official publication of The DFC Society, a 501- C (19) non-profit corp., published three times a year . Send articles to Editor via email: editor@dfcsociety.com
Summer 2013 Issue Page 16