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<p>Memorial article found at 1937 AR 1937</p>
<p>RUSSELL HUNTER GRIFFITH was born at Fort Meade, South Dakota, October 11, 1907. The fourth generation of a family long identified with the United States Army, he carried on the family tradition when he entered the United States Military Academy.</p>
<p>He was the son of Colonel Frederick D. Griffith. Jr., Class of 1902, USMA, and the grandson of General George K. Hunter, USA, Retired, Class of 1877, now living in New York City.</p>
<p>Like most children of Army parents, he spent his childhood in practically every section of the United States, from Vermont to Texas and from Washington, D. C., to the Philippines.</p>
<p>From earliest boyhood, Russ was a serious, responsible person. He early developed a decided aptitude for anything mechanical and spent most of his spare time overhauling and constructing engines and radios. His interest in radio continued. throughout his life and remained his chief hobby.</p>
<p>Possessed of a fine physique he showed great promise as an athlete. He played an excellent game of tennis which was always his favorite sport. He played football on the team of the Gallilleo High School, which he attended in San Francisco. While there, he was president of his class and a First Sergeant in the ROTC. He attended the Roosevelt High School in Des Moines, Iowa, making a brilliant record as an end on the football team, and graduated from that institution in June 1925. He entered the University of Vermont, played on the freshman football team and was a pledge of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. An appointment was offered him, and he left the University to prepare for West Point at Braden’s Preparatory School. He was appointed to the United States Military Academy from the Third District of California and entered on July 1, 1927.</p>
<p>While at West Point, Russ was in the lower sections of his class and, being of an independent disposition, was constantly in difficulties with the "tacs". The result was that he achieved an all-time record in walking the "area” and acquired the distinction of being the Anchor Man of '31. It will be remembered that while occupying this position he led his followers to a decisive victory in the Goat-Engineer game.</p>
<p>Russ was of an extremely reserved disposition although possessed of a keen sense of humor and had many friends who both admired and respected him. Those who knew him valued his friendship and appreciated his high standards of loyalty and honesty.</p>
<p>He was graduated a Second Lieutenant of Infantry on June 11, 1931, and detailed in the Air Corps September 11, 1931. He graduated from the Air Corps Advanced Flying School at Kelly Field, Texas, in the Bombardment Section and led the Graduation Review.</p>
<p>His first post was Luke Field, Hawaii, where he reported for duty in December 1932. He served in the 72nd Bombardment Squadron, being later transferred to the 6th Pursuit Squadron, Wheeler Field, with the temporary rank of First Lieutenant in March 1935. He served in various capacities among then being that of Squadron Adjutant and Communications Officer.</p>
<p>One of his commanding officers said of him at this time that Russ was the most efficient young officer who had ever served under him.</p>
<p>He was considered one of the outstanding men of his class and regarded as an excellent pilot. It is certain that had he lived he would have achieved distinction in whatever field he entered.</p>
<p>While in Hawaii, he married Virginia Cushing Brant, daughter of Brigadier General Gerald C. Brant, Air Corps. He was permanently promoted to the rank of First Lieutenant on August 1, 1935, and in December of that year returned to the United States, reporting for duty with the Organized Reserves at Hensley Field, Texas.</p>
<p>It was there on October 12, 1936, the day after his twenty-ninth birthday, that the accident occurred that cost him his life. In accordance with his duties, he had been checking off a Reserve officer in a new BT 9. As they returned to the field at an altitude of about 2,000 feet, the plane was seen to go into a dive from which it never came out. Both occupants of the plane were instantly killed.</p>
<p>Funeral services were held in the Chapel at Fort Myer, Virginia, and he was buried in Arlington Cemetery, October 16, 1936, with full military honors.</p>
<p>The following excerpt from the many laudatory letters received by his family after his death show in what high regard he was held by those who had followed his career.</p>
<p>From General Malin Craig, Chief of Staff-</p>
<p>"Lieutenant Griffith was a capable, trustworthy and loyal officer of high personal character. Attentive to duty and an excellent pilot, he was conscientiously, devoted to his profession and faithfully performed the duties assigned him".</p>
<p>From Major General Oscar Westover, Chief of Air Corps</p>
<p>"Lieutenant Griffith's service with the Air Corps, although he was with us for only a comparatively short time, had shown him to be a very efficient officer, conscientious and thorough in the performance of his duties and of a caliber that we can ill afford to lose. His untimely death is therefore a severe loss not only to his friends, but to the branch of the service to which he had chosen to dedicate his life."</p>
<p>V.B. Griffith</p>
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