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Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Sponsor

Honored by:
Ms. Joanne M. Griffing

Henry B. "Pete" Griffing, is the founder and President of Griffing Associates, Inc. His aviation certifications include commercial airplane single, multi-engine land and instrument airplane licenses. He also earned his Aircraft & Engine mechanic license. He was type rated in all of the following Beechcraft airplanes: Bonanza, Baron, Duke, Twin Bonanza, Queen Air and all of the Beechcraft King Air 90,100 and 200 models. He has not only been an observer, but a participant in aviation both as a civilian and in the military with the United States Marine Corps.

Griffing enlisted in the Marine Corps in April 1943. He joined Marine Corps Fighter Squadron (VMF-218) 218, Marine Airgroup 12 (MAG-12), which was based in the Philippines at Zamboanga from 1944 to 1945. As Leading Chief, he and three mechanics were deployed behind enemy lines to repair a downed Corsair (F4U). The mission was completed in three weeks. Natives were recruited to trample down high grasses to make it possible for the Corsair to take-off and return to Zamboanga. As the leading chief he was ordered to bring the squadron up to full strength to prepare for the invasion of Japan. When the atomic bomb was dropped all orders were put on hold. VMF-218, MAG-12 was deployed to Peking, China to repatriate Japanese troops and to help maintain the peace between Chiang Kai-shek's Nationalist Forces and the Communist led by Mao Tse-tung. In December of 1945, Griffing as leading chief of the Squadron was decorated by General Chiang Kai-shek at Tiananmen Gate (The Gate of Heavenly Peace) where he was presented with The Banner of the Flying Cloud Award. Discharged from active duty he joined the Marine Corps Reserves in 1946, and was recalled with VMF-451 during the Korean Conflict, returning to Willow Grove Naval Air Station in 1952. Now a chief warrant officer (CWO) - 2, he retired from the Marine Corps Reserves in 1981.

Griffing's accomplishments in general and business aviation include early work as a lineman at Wings Field, Blue Bell, Pennsylvania in 1937, receipt of his pilot license in 1942, and management of the Civilian Pilot Training Program during during World War II from 1941 to 1942. Following Marine Corps service he returned to Wings Field, and was advanced to service manager before being recalled to Marine Corps service during the Korean Conflict in 1951. He returned to Wings field as operations manager, and was promoted to salesman. In 1954 he joined Atlantic Aviation, then Page Beechcraft, and in 1978 was promoted to vice president of corporate sales.

After retiring he established Griffing Associates, Inc. (1988), and became a member of the National Business Aviation Association in 1989. His aviation memberships include the NBAA, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, the Aero Club of Pennsylvania, the Aviation Council of Pennsylvania, the Retired Officers Association, and the Marine Corps Reserve Officers' Association.

Griffing's civilian awards include recognition for sales achievement (1958) in a Beechcraft contest, Beechcraft Salesman of the year (1962), and Beechcraft Million Dollar Salesman Award for several years in the 1970s and 1980s. He was the first to be recognized with the Beechcraft "Old Pro" award (1976), and received the "Executive Salesman Award" signified by a Beechcraft blue coat for professionalism and length of service for each of the five years the award was presented.

He and his wife, Joanne, have four children and five grandchildren.