Robert Bruce Griffin

Master Sergeant Robert ""Bob"" Bruce Griffin, U.S.A.F., Retired, 81, of Viera, passed away quietly on Thursday, April 7, 2011. He was born February 10, 1930 in Trenton, NJ. His parents were Robert H. Griffin and Wilhelmina Griffin. In May of 1947 he enlisted in the US Army Air Corp where he was one of the original Tuskegee Airmen. He is survived by his wife, Joyce (West) his wife of 58 years; children, Sheila (Les) of Fayetteville, NC, Brenda of Jacksonville, FL, Robert B. II (Wanda) of Middletown DE, Michael (Milly) of Willingboro, NJ, and Sandra of El Paso, TX; sister, Gayle of Albuquerque, NM; sister in law, Barbara Dula of Viera, FL; 18 grandchildren and 26 great grandchildren and many family and friends. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30AM, April 16, 2011 at St John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Viera, FL. The family will receive friends at St John the Evangelist Church from 9:30AM till service time. In lieu of flowers send donations to these charities that Bob supported for over 40 years; Les Morris Summer Flight Academy, P.O. Box 1295, Green Valley, AZ, 85622 or Tuskegee Airmen, Inc, General Daniel ""Chappie"" James, Jr. Chapter, (Educational Scholarship Aide) P.O. Box 254001, Patrick's Air Force Base, FL, 32925. You can sign Bob's guest book at www.beckmanwilliamson.com In 1948 he was assigned to the 332nd Fighter Wing, now called the Tuskegee Airmen, in the maintenance and supply squadron as hangar mechanic, working on P-47's, P-51s and other base assigned aircraft. On July 26, 1948, President Harry S. Truman announced Executive Order 9981, ending segregation in the armed forces. This resulted in reassignment to the 61st Troop Carrier Group in Rhein-Main, Germany for duty with the Berlin Airlift. After his duty hours he would volunteer to fly as a flight mechanic. Hi exceptional performance was noticed by many and resulted in Robert's selection for Flight Engineer's School in September 1949. He completed the course with flying colors and thus became the very first African America flight Engineer in the US Air Force. He remained at the school as an instructor. Robert served as a flight engineer on the B-29s at Randolph AFB in 1950 and KC-97 in-flight refueling tankers for thirteen years with the Strategic Air Command, and C-135 Jet transport with the Military Airlift Command. His Service included participation in the Berlin Airlift, Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War. He retired from the Air Force in 1967. In the latter part of his twenty year military career, he pursued pilot training. After leaving the military he worked as an Instructor Pilot, Collage Instructor, Air Taxi pilot, and an Aircraft Dispatcher. He went on to fly with Eastern Airlines, and worked in their training department as a Simulator Instructor. He flew Boeing 727s until 1991. He went on to Ground and Simulator instructor for Alteon a Boeing company until his retirement in 2005. Robert met his wife of fifty eight years, former Joyce West in 1950. They married in 1952. They were blessed with five wonderful children, Sheila, Brenda, Robert II, Michael and Sandra. Robert is Founding member of Black Pilots of America, Inc. and active member of South Florida chapter BPA, Tuskegee Airmen International, and Gen. Daniel ""Crappie"" James Chapter, 1288 of Experimental Aircraft Association and former member of Negro Airmen International. Black Pilots of America Inc. has conducted its annual Les Morris Summer Flight Academy for fourteen years. Now conducted at Texas Southern University, TX, Bob has been an integral part since inception. He has participated in youth summer flight programs for over twenty eight years, volunteering two weeks each summer to instruct youth both ground and actual flight instruction. Robert Bruce Griffin's accomplishments include airline Transport Pilot, B-727 type rating, Flight Instructor Single Multi and Instrument, Ground instructor Advanced Instruments, Aircraft Dispatcher, Flight Engineer Turbojet & Reciprocating power, Mechanic A&P as well as 10,000 hours flight time and the Tuskegee Airmen Congressional Gold Medal. Bob was accompanied by his wife Joyce who is also a founding member of BPA along with son, Robert Bruce Griffin, Jr. The photo was taken by Palmer Sullins on the upper floor of the Library of Congress after Bob received the Congressional Gold Medal in 2007. Congratulations to Bob Griffin for his induction and thanks for his contributions to Aviation and this great nation. Thank you also to Cecil Hoyer for representing Black Pilots of America, Inc. Clovis Jones, Black Aviation hall of Fame founder and Chairman indicated that this will be an annual event.