Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
John
Gary
Griffith
DNB (1968)
January 10, 1936

–

March 12, 1968

Cemetery:

National Memorial of the Pacific Cemetery (Wall of Missing)

Both John Griffith and his Pilot, Commander Glenn Kollmann, received the Navy Cross for this mission. On March 12, 1968, John Griffith’s aircraft malfunctioned during a night catapult launch, and ditched from its carrier. He and Commander Kollmann were listed as Missing in Action, and neither man’s remains have never been recovered.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Batallion:

    Attack Squadron 35 (VA-35)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Enterprise (CVA(N)-65)

    Action Date:

    March 2, 1967
    All Hands (February 1969)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Commander John Gary Griffith (NSN: 0-588219/1320), United States Navy, was awarded a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 2 March 1967, as a naval flight officer in Attack Squadron THIRTY-FIVE (VA-35), embarked in U.S.S. ENTERPRISE (CVA(N)-65).

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Batallion:

    Attack Squadron 35 (VA-35)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Enterprise (CVA(N)-65)

    Action Date:

    April 7, 1967
    All Hands (February 1969)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Commander John Gary Griffith (NSN: 0-588219/1320), United States Navy, was awarded a Third Gold Star in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 7 April 1967, as a naval flight officer in Attack Squadron THIRTY-FIVE (VA-35), embarked in U.S.S. ENTERPRISE (CVA(N)-65).

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander [then Lieutenant]

    Batallion:

    Attack Squadron 35 (VA-35)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Enterprise (CVA(N)-65)

    Action Date:

    February 24, 1968
    Authority: Navy Department Board of Decorations and Medals

    The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Commander [then Lieutenant] John Gary Griffith (NSN: 0-588219/1320), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in aerial flight on 24 February 1968 as a naval flight officer in Attack Squadron THIRTY-FIVE (VA-35), embarked in U.S.S. ENTERPRISE (CVA(N)-65). As leading Bombardier/Navigator, Lieutenant Commander Griffith flew on a night air strike against a vital and heavily defended port facility in the heart of North Vietnam. Navigating his aircraft at perilously low altitudes in the monsoon weather, he successfully penetrated intense and accurate enemy defenses en route to the target. Disregarding the threatening surface-to-air missiles and anti-aircraft artillery defending the target area, Lieutenant Commander Griffith maintained a steady radar tracking of the target until bomb release, thereby ensuring an optimum bombing solution. Because of his daring and highly professional navigation and radar-bombing skill, his bombs found their mark, inflicting heavy damage upon the port facilities. By his technical competence, courage, and loyal devotion to duty in the face of intense enemy opposition, Lieutenant Commander Griffith contributed materially to United States efforts in Southeast Asia and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Batallion:

    Attack Squadron 35 (VA-35)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Enterprise (CVA(N)-65)

    Action Date:

    March 7, 1968
    All Hands (February 1969)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Commander John Gary Griffith (NSN: 0-588219/1320), United States Navy, was awarded a Fourth Gold Star in lieu of a Fifth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 7 March 1968, as a naval flight officer in Attack Squadron THIRTY-FIVE (VA-35), embarked in U.S.S. ENTERPRISE (CVA(N)-65).

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander [then Lieutenant]

    Batallion:

    Attack Squadron 35 (VA-35)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Enterprise (CVA(N)-65)

    Action Date:

    March 6, 1968
    Commander in Chief Pacific Fleet: Serial 102/PD-1586 (April 1, 1968)

    The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Commander [then Lieutenant] John Gary Griffith (NSN: 0-588219/1320), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in aerial flight on 6 March 1968, as a naval flight officer in Attack Squadron THIRTY-FIVE (VA-35), embarked in U.S.S. ENTERPRISE (CVA(N)-65). Participating in a coordinated night air strike against a vital and heavily defended industrial complex in the heart of North Vietnam, Lieutenant Commander Griffith navigated his aircraft at perilously low altitude in monsoon weather to successfully penetrate the intense and accurate enemy defenses. Although subjected to heavy anti-aircraft artillery fire, and constantly threatened by surface-to-air missiles, he succeeded in reaching his objective, accurately dropping his bombs, and inflicting heavy damage to the target. By his courageous actions, outstanding professional competence, and loyal devotion to duty in the face of intense enemy oppositions, Lieutenant Commander Griffith upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Batallion:

    Attack Squadron 35 (VA-35)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Enterprise (CVA(N)-65)

    Action Date:

    February 14, 1967
    All Hands (February 1969)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Commander John Gary Griffith (NSN: 0-588219/1320), United States Navy, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 14 February 1967, as a naval flight officer in Attack Squadron THIRTY-FIVE (VA-35), embarked in U.S.S. ENTERPRISE (CVA(N)-65).

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Batallion:

    Attack Squadron 35 (VA-35)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Enterprise (CVA(N)-65)

    Action Date:

    June 10, 1967
    All Hands (February 1969)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Commander John Gary Griffith (NSN: 0-588219/1320), United States Navy, was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 10 June 1967, as a naval flight officer in Attack Squadron THIRTY-FIVE (VA-35), embarked in U.S.S. ENTERPRISE (CVA(N)-65).