Leroy R Grumman

Leroy R. Grumman

George Tyson Grumman, proprietors of a carriage shop and Grace Ethel Cklinon Grumman was parents to Leroy Randle 'Roy' Grumman born in Huntington, New York on January 4, 1895. Leroy was raised on Long Island, an area often referred to as the "cradle of aviation". Young Grumman took an early interest in aviation. He retained his interest in aircraft engineering after graduating from high school in June 1912. He worked his way through Cornell University. In 1916 he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering (Francillon, 2008).

Following graduation, Roy Grumman worked briefly for the Engineering Department of the Telephone Company in New York. In June 1917 he resigned to enlist into the U.S. Naval Reserve to support the United States in their two months entry into the First World War. For a few months he served as machinist's mate, 2nd class. Grumman was then sent by the Navy to Columbia University for a six-week course in the operation of petrol engines powering submarine chasers. He then applied for aviation duty and ground training at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He learned to fly at Pensacola and Miami Naval Air Training School (Allstar 2012). He graduated in September 1918 and was designated a Naval Aviator. Grumman was commissioned an ensign rank prior to be assigned as a pilot instructor to the Naval Air Training School at Pensacola. He graduated from the four month Naval Course in Aeronautical Engineering at MIT in 1919. He was then transferred to the League Island Naval Yard on the Delaware River as a test pilot for Curtiss aircraft and Navy-built flying boats. He was made Project Engineer for the Loening M-8 observation monoplanes about to be built in the Navy Yard.

Working at the Naval Yard Grumman would get to know Albert Loening and his brother Grover, the designers of the M-8 observation monoplanes. Grumman impressed them so much with his talent as an engineer and skills as a test pilot...