s/o William Henry Grider & Susan John McGavock. Was married to Marguerite Samuels & they had 2 sons - John & George. After divorce went into services for WWI. He kept a diary in the war. But he was killed in action & after the war one of his friends published it - barely mentioning the true author. So his sister Josephine sued & won & eventually the book, "War Birds: Diary of an Unknown Aviator", was re-published in the true author's name.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_McGavock_Grider

Per Dwight "Andy" Anderson #48021049

Lieutenant John M. "McGavock" Grider, the only son of William H. Grider and Sue Grider, was born on May 18, 1892, at Sans Souci plantation near the community of Grider in Carson Township, Mississippi County, Arkansas. Grider was in northwest Arkansas 5 miles south of Osceola on US Hwy 61. As a young man, he followed in his father's footsteps as a farmer. On March 29, 1909, he married Marguerite Samuels, with whom he had two sons. At some point, the couple moved from Arkansas, but, after a separation and divorce in 1916, Grider returned to his father's farm.

When the United States entered World War I in April 1917, Grider traveled to Chicago, Illinois, and enlisted as a cadet in the Aviation Section of the United States Army Signal Corps. He completed his initial training at Champaign, Illinois. Before the United States could organize its own air service, many newly trained pilots were sent to serve with the British. By October 1917, Grider had arrived in England and was stationed in the Oxford area. Here, Grider and two friends, Lawrence Callahan and Elliott Springs, were assigned to No. 85 Squadron of the Royal Air Force. On May 22, 1918, Grider was flying missions over the front lines in France, soon claiming four downed enemy aircraft, two of which were shared. When going into combat, the young pilot carried a doll given to him by British actress Billie Carlton. Grider had been in France for about one month when he and Springs flew their last mission together on June 18, 1918. While returning to base after they shot down an enemy plane near Armentieres, France, Grider's plane disappeared. Three days later, Grider's father received a telegram stating, "Lieutenant Grider reported missing in action June 18, 1918." Though his body was never recovered, his death was confirmed by a German pilot who flew over, dropping a note describing his burial. Source: Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture.

The Osceola Times – 12 Jul 1918, Fri – Page 1 – McGAVOCK GRIDER IS MISSING – W. H. Grider yesterday received a letter advising him that his son McGavock Grider, who has been with the allied fliers in France, has been missing since June 18. The following extract is taken from the letter: "Your son did not return yesterday after a flight over enemy lines, and having no news of him we are forced to give him up as missing. He and another pilot was chasing an enemy machine far over the lines. Together they brought the enemy down and started to return to our lines. A strong wind was blowing from the wet and the other pilot saw McGavock follow in the direction of our lines. On looking a moment later he was not to be seen and the best that cold have befallen him is that he might be a prisoner. It is usually a month or six weeks before we hear from prisoners captured and will notify you at once upon receiving and further information. CAPT. G. H. BAKER, Royal Aviation Corps, France." - This letter was dated June 19 and was received by Mr. Grider on July 11. McGavock Grider was one of our best known and best liked young men. He enlisted about a year ago and was anxious to get to the fighting front. He was well liked by his comrades in France and Captain Baker spoke of him in the most complimentary manner. We sympathize with the father and sisters in this hour of suspense and trust that they will soon receive news that McGavock is still alive and well.