Born the Rassudovo [ru] Estate near Moscow on 12 December 1896, Grigoriy Suk was of Czech and Russian heritage.

His Russian mother, Ljubov Osipovna Sorokina, was the daughter of a well-known physician, as well as an alumnus of the Women's College of Mariinskoe.

His Czech father, scientist Eduard Ivanovich Suk, was notable enough to be a hereditary honorary citizen of Moscow.

He subsequently requested a transfer to aviation service, and was forwarded to the Gatchina Flying School on 5 June 1915.

[1] On 27 January, Eduard Ivanovich Suk died abruptly; his son was granted a short leave to attend the funeral.

As his award commendation for the Cross of Saint George Third Class stated, he drove down an enemy aircraft with machine gun fire from 50 meters distance on 1 June 1916 for his first victory.

He then entered a dry spell marked by unfruitful attacks that did blunt enemy reconnaissance efforts.

[1] Although aviation historians cite Suk as credited with either eight or nine aerial victories, they posit slightly differing lists.