In memory - Griswold passed away on September 20, 2016
Background
Griswold was born on October 18, 1920 in Rutland, Vermont.
Wartime History
On May 22, 1942 Griswold enlisted in the U.S. Army as an Air Corps cadet serial number 11056186. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant and sent overseas to Australia and New Guinea. Assigned to the 5th Air Force, 8th Fighter Group "Cyclone's Flying Circus", 36th Fighter Squadron "The Flying Fiends" flying P-47D Thunderbolts and P-38 Lightnings. He was promoted to 1st Lieutenant.
Griswold flew from Nadzab Airfield in New Guinea and Owi Airfield off Biak plus Wama Airfield on Morotai and in the Philippines Dulag Airfield and Hill Field on Leyte.
During his service, Steele was officially credited with two aerial victories:
1) June 16, 1944 Griswold was credited with his first aerial victory over New Guinea.
2) November 2, 1944 Griswold was credited with his second aerial victory in the Philippines.
On December 26, 1944 Griswold took off from Hill Field on a patrol mission with Captain Giroux and Lt. Maucher but were unable to find each other due to bad weather and proceeded separately. On that mission, two pilots went Missing In Action (MIA) including P-38L 44-25243 piloted by 2nd Lt. Wayne Donker and P-38L 44-25241 piloted by Francis S. Ford.
Postwar
In 1945, he married Teresa Helen Scarborough and the couple settled in Highgate, Vermont. During 1957, Steele formed S. T. Griswold & Company beginning with providing highway guard rails and the next year expanding to provide ready mix concrete. In 1971, Steele and Terry bought the Shelburne Shipyard, that Terry managed until 1997. Steele retired in 1988.
Memorial
Griswold passed away on September 20, 2016. A memorial service is scheduled for October 21, 2016.
References
NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Steel T. Griswold
USAF Aerial Victory Credits WWII by Unit, page 82
- Steele T. Griswold
Missing Air Crew Report 14458 (MACR 14458)
page 5, statement of witness Steele T. Griswold
Missing Air Crew Report 14461 (MACR 14461) page 4, statement of witness Steele T. Griswold
Burlington Free Press - Obituary Steele Thatcher Griswold 1920-2016
Thanks to Walter Houghton for additional information
