Griffin, W(illiam) E(dmund) B(utterworth)

(US, 1929– )

Griffin was born in Newark, New Jersey, and writes war fiction based on modern American military history. Begin with Semper Fi (1986). The first of four parts of The Corps, an account of the US Marine Corps in the Second World War, it deals with mobilization following the shock of Pearl Harbor. The Aviators (1988) centres on the US Army Air Corps in the Vietnam War. New modes of combat must be learned to contend with an enemy unlike any in US military experience. In Honor Bound (1993) the Office of Strategic Services is on a mission to sabotage the refuelling of Nazi U-boats by South American sympathizers. Among the thrillers Griffin has also published is The Assassin (1993); Philadelphia provides the background to the story of a leading politician under threat from a contract-killer.

Norman Mailer, James Jones, Ken Follett  DH