Lieutenant (later Colonel) John Sharpe Griffith, (November 26, 1898 – October 14, 1974) was an American World War I

flying ace A flying ace, fighter ace or air ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down five or more enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The exact number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an ace is varied, but is usually co ...

credited with seven aerial victories while serving in the British Royal Flying Corps and

Royal Air Force The Royal Air Force (RAF) is the United Kingdom's air and space force. It was formed towards the end of the First World War on 1 April 1918, becoming the first independent air force in the world, by regrouping the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) and ...

, also serving during the Allied intervention in the Russian Civil War. He returned to service during World War II in the

United States Army Air Forces The United States Army Air Forces (USAAF or AAF) was the major land-based aerial warfare service component of the United States Army and ''de facto'' aerial warfare service branch of the United States during and immediately after World War II ...

, and finally retired in 1956.

Early life

Griffith was born in

Seattle Seattle ( ) is a seaport city on the West Coast of the United States. It is the seat of King County, Washington. With a 2020 population of 737,015, it is the largest city in both the state of Washington and the Pacific Northwest regio ...

, Washington, the son of C. E. Griffith, and was educated at Broadway High School.

World War I

In July 1917, Griffith travelled to

Vancouver Vancouver ( ) is a major city in western Canada, located in the Lower Mainland region of British Columbia. As the List of cities in British Columbia, most populous city in the province, the 2021 Canadian census recorded 662,248 people in the ...

where he enlisted into Royal Flying Corps Canada, learning to fly in

Toronto Toronto ( ; or ) is the capital city of the Canadian province of Ontario. With a recorded population of 2,794,356 in 2021, it is the most populous city in Canada and the fourth most populous city in North America. The city is the ancho ...

before travelling to England in November. He was posted to No. 60 Squadron RFC in February 1918 to fly a S.E.5a single-seat fighter. Between 9 March and 7 July 1918, he destroyed five enemy aircraft, including one each shared with

Art Duncan Captain William James Arthur Duncan (July 4, 1891 – April 13, 1975) was a Canadian aviator and a professional ice hockey player, coach, and general manager. In 1926 he served as the first team captain, head coach, and general manager of the ...

and George Hegarty. On 18 July, he was shot down by anti-aircraft fire, his wounds ending his participation in the war.

Post-war

In 1919, while serving as part of the

North Russian Expeditionary Force The North Russia intervention, also known as the Northern Russian expedition, the Archangel campaign, and the Murman deployment, was part of the Allied intervention in the Russian Civil War after the October Revolution. The intervention brought ...

, Griffith flew 40 patrols in northern Russia against the Bolsheviks, shooting down one of their observation balloons. He finally left the Royal Air Force in 1921.

Honours and awards

;Distinguished Flying Cross :Lieutenant John Sharpe Griffith. ::"During the last few months this officer has destroyed three enemy aeroplanes and assisted in bringing down a fourth; he has, in addition, driven down two balloons and shot down two machines out of control. Whilst leading his patrol at 11,000 ft. altitude he observed three enemy aeroplanes at 2,000 ft.; he immediately dived and led his patrol to the attack, destroying two of the machines, one of which he accounted for himself. A gallant and determined officer." ;Bar to Distinguished Flying Cross :Flying Officer John Sharpe Griffith, DFC. ::Between the 5th May and 24 July 1919, this officer carried out forty bomb raids and reconnaissances, all with great success and generally from a low altitude. On the 3rd June, 1919, he dived to within 100 feet of the ground and destroyed an enemy balloon, as well as several of its attendants. When a two-seater machine was not readily available he fitted a camera to his scout, and, although, it is very difficult to take photographs from such machines (and, moreover, he was inexperienced in such work); he succeeded in taking a very good mosaic which proved of great utility to the Commander of the Vologda Force. Flying Officer Griffith is an intrepid pilot and a very skilful all-round officer.

List of aerial victories

References