Captain George William Grider
October 1, 1912 - March 20, 1991

    George William Grider was born on October 1, 1912 in Memphis, Tennessee, the son of the late Lieutenant John MacGavock Grider, U.S. Army (killed in action, World War I) and Mrs. Marguerite (Samuels) Grider.  He attended University School and Southwestern University, Memphis, Tennessee before his appointment, at large, to the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland in 1932.  While at the Academy he was a member of the Swimming Team; Captain of the Water Polo Team; Editor of the "Log"; Vice President of the Class of 1936 and received a Letter of Commendation from the Superintendent of the Naval Academy.  He was graduated and commissioned Ensign on June 4, 1936.
    Following graduation he had consecutive duty aboard the USS MISSISSIPPI and USS RATHBURNE.  In 1939, he had instruction at the Submarine Base, New London, Connecticut and upon completion of the course, reported for duty in December 1939 aboard the USS SKIPJACK.  On May 31, 1941 he was transferred to Submarine Division SEVEN, as Engineer Officer (designation changed to Submarine Division FORTY-ONE a day after he reported) and while in the above duty he had temporary duty as an instructor at the West Coast Sound School, San Diego, California from May 31, to March 2, 1942.
    He reported to the Navy Yard, Mare Island, California on March 11, 1942 in connection with fitting out the USS WAHOO and was assigned duty aboard upon her commissioning on May 15, 1942.  For duty aboard the WAHOO he was awarded the Silver Star Medal and is entitled to the ribbon for, and a facsimile of, the Presidential Unit Citation awarded the submarine.
    Lieutenant Grider served as Executive Officer of the USS POLLACK from February to November 1943.  He then reported to the Manitowoc Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company, Manitowoc, Wisconsin in connection with fitting out the USS HAWKBILL.  He sailed aboard that submarine from her commissioning on May 17, 1944 until October 1944, receiving a Bronze Star Medal for his services and a promotion to Commander.
    Upon detachment from the USS HAWKBILL, Commander Grider assumed command of the USS FLASHER on October 31, 1944.  In company with the USS HAWKBILL and the USS BECUNA, FLASHER set out upon her Fifth War Patrol as a Coordinated Search and Attack Group, sinking four ten thousand ton tankers and one seventeen hundred ton destroyer.  For her Sixth War Patrol, the FLASHER, in company with the USS BASHAW, sank one twenty-five thousand ton freighter, one seventy-five ton sea truck and two fifty ton luggers.  He was relieved of command of the USS FLASHER in March 1946 and for his service as Commanding Officer of that submarine was awarded the Navy Cross.  He was also entitled to the ribbon for, and a facsimile of, the Presidential Unit Citation awarded the FLASHER.
    In April 1946, he assumed command of the USS CUBERA from her captain, Roger W.  Paine, Jr., and commanded her until September 1947.  Following a heart attack, Commander Grider elected to retire from active duty.  On December 1, 1947 he was transferred to the Retired List of the U.S. Navy in the rank of Captain.  In addition to the aforementioned awards, he also earned three Letters of Commendation which authorized him to wear the Commendation Ribbon with two bronze stars as well as the American Defense Medal; the Asiatic-Pacific Area Campaign Medal and the World War II Victory Medal.
    Following his retirement, Captain Grider earned a law degree from the University of Virginia.  His wartime memoirs, co-authored with Lydel Sims, were published in 1958 under the title War Fish.  In 1964 he was elected to the 89th Congress as Representative from the State of Tennessee.  He served one term and was unseated in 1966.  He continued to practice law in Memphis until his retirement.  George W. Grider died on March 20, 1991 at the age of 78.