Lucky Bag Yearbook

From the 1944 Lucky Bag:

Jack Walter Griffith

Tall, dark and vociferous, Griffith was easy to know and everybody’s friend. He was champion of the plebes, making it his duty to see that they were not unduly trod upon. Except for a shot at battalion swimming plebe year, he didn’t go in for sports or other extracurricular activities to any great extent. Instead, he spent most of his time trying to beat the Executive Department, which, recognizing his efforts in this field, bestowed the coveted “Black N” as a reward during youngster year. “Jungle Jim” was a hard worker, with only occasional lapses, blessed with a mind which he didn’t fail to use and seldom failed to speak.

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The Class of 1944 was graduated in June 1943 due to World War II. The entirety of 2nd class (junior) year was removed from the curriculum.

Loss

From Find A Grave (note that this memorial page was removed at some point):

USNA Class of 1944, Lieutenant Griffith was as the pilot of a F9F-2 Pantherjet fighter with Fighter Squadron 24 aboard the USS BOXER (CV-21). On July 4, 1952, while serving as a photographic escort south of Wonsan, Korea, his aircraft was struck by anti-aircraft fire, crashed and exploded. He was listed as Missing in Action and was presumed dead on May 25, 1954.

For his leadership and valor, Lieutenant Griffith was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Purple Heart, the Combat Service Ribbon, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Korean War Service Medal.

Other Information

From researcher Kathy Franz:

Jack graduated from Central High School in 1938. At Guilford College, he was Vice-President of the freshman class, second semester. As a sophomore, he was a cheerleader and was in the German Club.

Jack’s father was Samuel, an accountant, mother Florence, sister Marcheta. Jack was with them in the 1940 census of Evansville, Indiana. He was doing title work.

Jack was stationed at Santa Rosa Naval Auxiliary Landing Field before going into combat with Air Group 2 in February 1952.

His three children were: David Raymond, 8; Jack Walter Jr., 4; and Florance Ann, 8 months.

Jack has a memory marker in Hawaii; he was survived by his wife, Margaret, and three children.

Date of loss confirmed from the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency.

Photographs

From his high school yearbook

Distinguished Flying Cross

From Hall of Valor:

SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Jack Walter Griffith (NSN: 0-283413), United States Navy, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving with Fighter Squadron TWENTY-FOUR (VF-24), embarked in U.S.S. BOXER (CV-21), on 16 June 1952.

General Orders: All Hands (February 1953)
Action Date: June 16, 1952
Service: Navy
Rank: Lieutenant
Company: Fighter Squadron 24 (VF-24)
Division: U.S.S. Boxer (CV-21)