T/Sgt.

Roy Wesley Griffith

Radio Operator / Gunner

547th Bomb Squadron

384th Bombardment Group (Heavy)

Serial Nr 14107839

Completed tour

Combat missions credited - 25

Resting place - Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington County, Virginia, USA

Roy was born on 3rd March, 1921 in Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama. His parents were Ralph Judson Griffith Sr., and Viola Gertrude (Strickland) Griffith. He was a graduate of Barrett School, and Woodlawn High School, both in Birmingham, Alabama.

Roy enlisted on 24th June 1942, at Fort McClellan, Alabama. His records show his civilian occupation at the time as being an 'electrician'.

In February 1943, Griffith graduated from the Harlingen Army Gunnery School, obtaining the rank of Sergeant.

On 11th March 1943 Sgt. Griffith was assigned to the 547th Bomb Squadron, of the newly formed 384th Bombardment Group (Heavy), at Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho. This was the date a second batch of 20 crews were assigned to the Group, after the initial batch of 12 in February 1943.

The original pilot for Sgt. Griffith's crew was 2nd Lt. Charles Henry Lefevre, however shortly before departing for overseas a replacement pilot took over the crew, 2nd Lt. Horace Everett Frink. 2nd Lt. Frink was to have a long and distinguished career with the 384th BG, eventually becoming a Major and a veteran of 40 combat missions, before leaving the Group on 27th November 1944.

In late May 1943, the aircrews set off for Prestwick in Scotland on their trans-Atlantic transfer flight. Starting from Camp Kearney, California their routing took them to either Gander Lake, Labrador or Goose Bay, Newfoundland before the over water flight into Prestwick. They were to stay here for some time, possibly awaiting the arrival of the ground crew and administration teams of the 384th that were travelling by the liner Queen Elizabeth, out of New York. This element of the group was to arrive at their new home, RAF Grafton Underwood, Northamptonshire, England late in the evening of 3rd June, 1943.

On the 15th June 1943, Griffith was promoted to Technical Sergeant.

One week later, on the 22nd June 1943, the 384th Bombardment Group was to carry out its very first combat mission, to Antwerp, in Belgium. T/Sgt. Griffith was to form part of the Group Lead crew for the mission. Flying alongside Commander and Group CO Col. Budd J. Peaslee and Observer / Waist Gunner Maj. Seldon L. McMillin, T'Sgt. Griffith performed the role of Radio Operator and gunner. On a further four occasions, T/Sgt. Griffith would be part of the Group lead crew on combat missions.

On 16th November 1943, T/Sgt. Griffith was to form part of the lead crew of the 1st Air Division, piloted by 2nd Lt. Frink. This was his 25th, and final mission, with the 384th Bomb Group. On completion of this mission, it marked the first time a complete crew had completed an operational tour, which at this time was set at 25 combat missions. Given the losses at this point of operations, this was cause of much celebration for the 384th. Also completing their 25 mission tours today on this crew were Pilot 2nd Lt. Horace Frink (was to continue as Group Commander, eventually being credited for 40 combat missions with the 384th BG), 1st Lt. Lester O. Hagsted (transferred to Ireland to take up a role as Navigational Instructor), and gunners T/Sgt. William A. Shelton Jnr., and T/Sgt. Clyde H. Savage who were both to return to civilian life in America. 

On Monday 13th December 1943, T/Sgt. Griffith was formally discharged from the Army, to enable him to accept a commission as a 2nd Lt., and subsequently being issued with a new Serial number of O-2044934. In January 1943 he was assigned to the 306th Bomb Group at RAF Thurleigh, Bedfordshire, as a Gunnery Officer. In November 1944 1st Lt. Griffith had returned to America, receiving the rating of 'Aircraft Observer' upon his graduation from the AAF Combat Gunnery Officer School in Laredo, Texas.

During 1945, Roy was to marry Mary Elizabeth Krohn, with the couple eventually having three children - Bryon, Donald and Roy.

It is clear that Roy remained a career Air Force person in the post war years, however there are gaps in his full story of placements and achievements. Via newspaper articles, we can piece together some of his roles and placements, as follows.

In 1948, it is stated he has reported for duty at Keeler Field, Mississippi.

Between 1953 and 1955, Major Griffith was Director of Budget and Accounting, Alaskan Air Command, Elmendorf AFB, Anchorage, Alaska. He is cited as being responsible for a budget of approximately $35 million. His efforts on reprogramming and reducing operating costs earned him a Commendation Ribbon. On completion of his tour of duty here, it is stated his next role  was an assignment with Air Force Headquarters in Washington, becoming Director of Budget and Accounting.

An article in October 1962 now shows him as a Lt. Col. Griffith, with his role being Assistant Controller at Keesler AFB, Biloxi, Mississippi. It also details that at some point he had been the Director of the Budget for the Caribbean Air Command.

1964 shows Lt. Col. Griffith being awarded an Air Force Commendation medal whilst at Craig AFB, Alabama.

His final rank was eventually to become Colonel.

On the 1st February, 2003 in Bay Saint Louis, Hancock County, Mississippi, Roy passed away, aged 81 years.

Today he rests at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington County, Virginia. His wife, Mary Elizabeth, rests alongside him.

Research courtesy of Keith Andrews on behalf of 384th Bombardment Group Museum.

With kind thanks to the 384th Bomb Group website www.384thbombgroup.com for permission in using material from their records in the making of this story. It holds a wealth of information, documents and photographs of their activities during World War 2.

Further information courtesy of www.newspapers.com, www.ancestory.com and www.findagrave.com