In memory - Griswold passed away on September 20, 2016
Background
Steele Thatcher Griswold was born on October 18, 1920 in Rutland, Vermont.
Wartime History
On May 22, 1942 Griswold enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as an aviation cadet serial number 11056186. He attended flight school, earned his wings and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant with serial number O-607553. Sent overseas to the South West Pacific Area (SWPA). Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 8th Fighter Group (8th FG), 36th Fighter Squadron (36th FS) "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 plus Wama Airfield on Morotai and in the Philippines Dulag Airfield on Leyte and Hill Field on Mindoro.
On December 26, 1944 took off from Hill Field on Mindoro piloting P-38 Lightning on a strike against Japanese warships in the Mindoro Strait west of Mindoro with P-38L Lightning pilot Captain William K. Giroux and Lt. Maucher but were unable to find each other due to bad weather and proceeded separately.
Aerial victory claims
Griswold was officially credited with two aerial victories, all flying the P-38 Lightning in the South West Pacific Area (SWPA).
| Victory |
Date |
Location |
Aircraft |
Notes on claim |
| 1 |
06/16/44 |
|
|
First aerial victory claim. |
| 2 |
11/02/44 |
|
|
Second aerial victory claim. |
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
