From an early age, "Red Mike" (a nickname he gained because of his red-blond hair) demonstrated an interest in aviation, and in his 20 June 1911 high school salutatory address at Huntington High School, Grumman predicted that "he final perfection of the aeroplane will be one of the greatest triumphs that man has ever gained over nature." Ainsi, lors de son discours de fin d'études à la Huntington High School, le 20 juin 1911, Grumman prédit-il que la perfection finale de l'avion sera l'un des plus grands triomphes que l'homme aura jamais gagné sur la nature ("he final perfection of the aeroplane will be one of the greatest triumphs that man has ever gained over nature").
