Grider, George William "Gindy"

Date of birth:: October 1st, 1912 (Memphis/Tennessee, USA)
Date of death:: March 20th, 1991 (Memphis/Tennessee, USA)
Buried on:: Memphis National Cemetery
Plot: M. Grave: 3468.
Nationality:: American (1776 - present, Republic)

Biography

George William Grider was born on October 1, 1912 in Memphis, Tennessee. He was the son of Lieutenant John MacGavock Grider, U.S. Army and Marguerite (Samuels) Grider. After his University School and the Southwestern University in Memphis, he went to the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland in 1932. He graduated on 4th June 1936 with the rank of Ensign. His first assignments were on the U.S.S. Mississippi and the U.S.S. Rathburne. In 1939 he followed instruction on the Submarine Base at New London, Connecticut. December 1939 he reported for duty on board of the U.S.S. Skipjack. On 31st March 1941 followed his transfer to the Submarine Division Seven, which was the following day redesignated to Submarine Division Forty one.

During his assignment here he also was an instructor at the West Coast Soud School in San Diego between 31st May 1941 and 2nd March 1942. On 11th March 1942 he reported to the Navy Yard, Mare Island, California where he was assigned to the U.S.S. Wahoo. He stayed on this ship after its comission on 15th May 1942. With the rank of Lieutenant and the function of Executive Officer, he served on the U.S.S. Pollack from February until November 1943. After this he reported to the Manitowoc Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company, Manitowoc, Wisconsin on board of the U.S.S. Hawkbill. After its commissioning on 17th May 1944 he served on this ship until October. At the end of his service he was promoted to Commander. On 31st October 1944 he assumed command of the U.S.S. Flasher.

He was releaved of command in March 1946 and a month later he assumed commmand on the U.S.S. Cubera, which he commanded until September 1947. He retired from active duty after a heartattack. He was transferred to the Retired List on 1st December 1947 with the rank of Captain. After his active duty he earned a law degree at the University of Virginia. In 1958 his wartime memoirs were published and in 1964 he was elected to the 89th Congress as a representative from the State of Tennessee. He left office in 1966 and continued to practice Law until his retirement. He died on 20th March 1991.

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Silver Star Medal (SSM)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Lieutenant
Unit:: U.S.S. Wahoo (SS-238), U.S. Navy
Awarded on:: May 1942

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Commander [then Lieutenant] George William Grider, United States Navy, for gallantry and intrepidity and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Diving Officer of the U.S.S. WAHOO (SS-238), during war patrols of that vessel in enemy-controlled Pacific Waters. Performing all assigned duties in connection with depth control skillfully and with superb professional ability, Commander Grider directly contributed to his ship's success in delivering aggressive torpedo and gun attacks against heavily-escorted Japanese Task Forces and convoys to sink over 93,000 tons of shipping and damage an additional 30,000 tons of combatant and auxiliary units. His sound judgment, valor and steadfast devotion to duty served as an inspiration to the officers and men of his ship, thereby reflecting great credit upon Commander Grider and the United States Naval Service.

Pacific Fleet, Board of Awards: Serial 57 (April 27, 1944)

Bronze Star Medal (BSM)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Lieutenant Commander
Unit:: U.S.S. Hawkbill
Awarded on:: 1944

Navy Cross

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Commander
Unit:: U.S.S. Flasher (SS-249), U.S. Navy
Awarded on:: October 1944

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Commander George William Grider, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. FLASHER (SS-249), on the FIFTH War Patrol of that submarine during the period 15 November 1944 to 2 January 1945, in enemy controlled waters off the coasts of manila and Indo-China. On 4 December, in the face of extreme hostile countermeasures, Commander Grider launched four persistent attacks against a destroyer and a large tanker and, although heavily depth-charged between each of the attacks, succeeded in sinking both of the hostile craft. Leading his ship in two surface attacks against a convoy of five tankers and our escorts on a latter date, he skillfully maneuvered the FLASHER in a seventeen-hour chase to close the convoy and to sink three of the tankers without being detected by the escorting vessels. By his leadership, gallant fighting spirit and devotion to duty, Commander Grider contributed materially to the success of our operations in this area and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Commander 7th Fleet: Serial 01151 (April 3, 1945)