Name: John V “Jack” Griffin
First Name(s): John V “Jack”
Last Name: Griffin
Place of birth: Washington, King Cnty, Seattle
Rank: 1 Lt Pilot
ASN: O-763166
Company: 485th F Sqdrn
Unit: 370th Fighter Grp 9th USAAF
Reported as: KIA
Date of incident: 26-12-1944
Place of incident: Houffalize area
His story: Aircraft Lockheed LIGHTNING “MUTT” (his wife’s nickname) type P-38J-15-LO #42-104287, took off from Florennes Air Base, Belgium on December 26, 1944 for a armed reconnaissance mission.
Wing Man Lt Col Seth J McKee was flying in position with 1 Lt John V Griffin #3 and 2 Lt Robert A “Bob” Berry #4 in Flight Zenith Red on a D/3 mission to Houffalize, Belgium. Going down on their bomb run, both planes were hit by FLAK. After reforming the squadron upon completion of dive bombing, Lt Col McKee noticed that #3 an 4 of Zenith Red Flight were missing.” Lost at about 15.00 Hrs.
1 Lt John V “Jack” Griffin was KIA and 2 Lt Robert A “Bob” Berry was taken POW and returned on duty after WWII.
Destination: Houffalize, Belgium
Mission: Armed Reconnaissance Dive Bombing
MACR: 11475
Unit history of 370th Fighter Group
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