Click On Image For Full Size Image	Size	Image Description		Contributed By And/Or Copyright
0600701	107k	Donald Thomas "Don" Griswold Jr. was born in Bryan, Tex. on 08 July 1917. Donald T. Griswold Sr., and Margaret "Maggie" E. North married on 09 June 1915 in Austin, Tex. Don Junior's siblings were Margaret Griswold Brown, James North, Mac, and Jack Edward Griswold. Mac died at age seven of Influenza and Pneumonia. Don was a graduate of Clarinda High School where he played on the undefeated 1934 football team. After graduation he attended Iowa State College (Later Iowa State University) in Ames, Iowa where he won two letters as a member of the Iowa State football squad. He played first string in the offensive backfield as a half back in 1939-1940. In addition to sports Don belonged to Adelante Fraternity. Adelante men were musically and athletically inclined and devoted to the ideals of scholarship, fellowship and leadership. He was also a member of the Varsity "I" Club which was Iowa State's athletic fraternity. In addition to athletics, Don was also a scholar who majored in Agronomy. It isn't known if Don graduated from Iowa State. He was recorded in the 1940 Iowa State yearbook as a senior. However, he was also listed in the 1941 year book. According to the 1940 Clarinda, Iowa federal census Donald Jr. had completed 3 years of college. While a student at Iowa State Don completed advanced pilot training courses under the Civil Aeronautics board supervision. Don "T" enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve Flight Training (V-5) program (NSN:411-48-35) on 24 February 1941 at the Naval Reserve Air Base, Kansas City, Kansas as a Seaman 2/c. The same day he began a 30 day temporary active duty period of Elimination Flight Training that required a successful, short solo flight. He completed E-base on 23 March 1941 and transferred that day to Naval Air Station, Jacksonville, Fla. to await an aviation cadet class opening at NAS Pensacola. On 03 April, S2c Griswold transferred to NAS Pensacola, Fla. where he was discharged from enlisted status to accept an appointment as an Aviation Cadet. The next day, 04 April 1941 Griswold took the oath of office and accepted the appointment as an AVCAD. His date of rank as an AVCAD was 01 April 1941. After four months of flight instruction in Pensacola, Griswold was transferred for temporary duty with the Advanced Training Specialized Carrier Group at NAS Miami on 21 August 1941. He probably earned his designation as a naval aviator (heavier-than-air) #8814 in later September. Several weeks later (probably mid-October) after he finished advanced flight instruction he accepted a commission as an Ensign, AV-(N), USNR. He was placed on active duty status other than training and was assigned to Advanced Carrier Training Group, Atlantic Fleet, for duty involving flying. Griswold continued his training until joining Scout-Bombing Squadron Eight (VS-8) embarked on the USS Hornet (CV 8) probably as early as February 1942. On the morning of the third day of the Battle of Midway, 06 June 1942, fourteen planes from the Hornet's VS-8 led by squadron commander Lcdr. Walt Rodee took off with other planes of Hornet's air group to attack the heavy cruisers Mogami and Mikuma and two escorting Japanese destroyers that were part of the Japanese forces sent to capture the Midway Atoll. During the subsequent attack Ens. Griswold was credited with a bomb hit on the Mogami but was himself hit by anti-aircraft fire. His plane was seen smoking as it descended toward the ocean below. Ens. Griswold and his gunner, ARM1 Kenneth Bunch, were assumed killed in the ensuing crash. According to the USS Hornet's after-action report dated 13 June 1942, Ens. Griswold and ARM1 Kenneth Cecil Bunch were listed as missing in action on 06 June 1942. Their remains were unrecoverable. They were presumed dead on 07 June 1943. Ens. Griswold was awarded (posthumously) the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Purple Heart. (Photo courtesy of Paul Griswold, nephew of Don Griswold to Maritime Quest)		Gerry Lawton Commander, USN (ret.) Saluda, N.C. Follow Gerry's Blog Missing In Action   Navy–WWII
0600702	24k	(poor image) bow on view, undated		EM2 Smith
0600703	99k	23 May 1944: bow on view of USS Griswold in the Mare Island channel. She was in overhaul at Mare Island from 26 April until 26 May 1944. (U.S. Navy photo #DE-7 3112-44)		Darryl Baker PNCM, USNR (ret.) Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum
0600704	97k	23 May 1944: broadside view of Griswold in the Mare Island channel. (U.S. Navy photo #DE-7 3110-44)
0600705	105k	23 May 1944: stern view of Griswold in the Mare Island channel. (U.S. Navy photo #DE-7 3107-44)
0600706	135k	undated wartime image		David Buell

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