21st Troop Carrier Squadron

Griffin1

Eustace C. Griffin, Jr.
Far East Air Forces
315th Air Division (Combat Cargo)
21st Troop Carrier Squadron

Korean War veteran, Eustace Griffin, was awarded 2 Air Medals for the many missions flown within the theater, but never received them. His wife was presented his awards.

The citations read:

Air Medal

 “First Lieutenant Eustace C. Griffin, Jr., distinguished himself by meritorious achievement while participating in sustained aerial flight as a C-47 Pilot, 21st Troop Carrier Squadron (Combat Cargo), from 9 November 1951 to 7 March 1952.  During this period, the airmanship and courage exhibited by Lieutenant Griffin in the successful accomplishment of these important missions, under extremely hazardous conditions, demonstrated his outstanding proficiency and steadfast devotion to duty. The professional ability and outstanding aerial accomplishments of Lieutenant Griffin reflect great credit upon himself, the 315th Air Division and the United States Air Force.”

 Air Medal, 1st Oak Leaf Cluster

 “First Lieutenant Eustace C. Griffin, Jr., distinguished himself by meritorious achievement while participating in sustained aerial flight as a C-47 Pilot, 21st Troop Carrier Squadron (Combat Cargo), from 8 March 1952 to 12 August 1952.  During this period, the airmanship and courage exhibited by Lieutenant Griffin in the successful accomplishment of these important missions, under extremely hazardous conditions, demonstrated his outstanding proficiency and steadfast devotion to duty. The professional ability and outstanding aerial accomplishments of Lieutenant Griffin reflect great credit upon himself, the 315th Air Division and the United States Air Force.”

The 21st Airlift Squadron was activated at Archer Field, Brisbane Australia on April 3, 1942 as the 21st Transportation Squadron, later designated the 21st Troop Carrier Squadron. The 21st participated in the recapture of the Philippines and the eventual occupation of Japan.

In June of 1950, the 21st went to war again, this time in Korea. Popularly known as the “Kyushu Gypsies”, 21st crews were the first and only airlifters capable of ferrying supplies into “impossible” forward strips. The “Gypsies” participated in the Haragu-Ri evacuation when the 1st Marine Division was surrounded by 70,000 Chinese at the Chosin Reservoir. In four days, 21st C-47s evacuated more than 4,700 wounded. Aircraft regularly took off and landed directly into small arms fire from enemy at time entrenched only 200 yards away. The squadron participated in all major engagements in Korea including massive airdrops at Sunchon where 290 tons of supplies and nearly 1100 paratroopers were dropped.

Griffin’s awards and decorations include the:

Pilot WingsGriffin2
Air Medal w/1 oak leaf cluster
Good Conduct w/4 bronze loops
American Campaign Medal
WWII Victory Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Korean Service Medal
Air Force Longevity Service Award
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
United Nations Service Medal – Korea
Republic of Korea War Service Medal

Fayetteville, N. Carolina (2014)

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