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Richard Watts ‘Grif’ Griffin
was born on May 19,
1931, in Pembroke, KY, the son of James W. and Annie Griffin.
Following the death of his father in 1933, his family moved to
Hopkinsville, KY. The youngest of seven children, Grif grew up in a
very happy, loving home, despite financial hardships during the
Depression. As a boy, he watched tanks roll down the street in front
of his home in preparation for joining the action in World War II
and, consequently, developed an interest in joining the Army.
In high school,
Grif was a well-liked, bright student athlete. He was captain of the
football and basketball teams his senior year, and was voted most
likely to succeed by his classmates. As an all-state end in football
his senior year, he was recruited to play at the University of
Kentucky. However, Grif’s desire to serve his country led him
instead to apply for acceptance to West Point. While at West Point,
Grif’s calm, unassuming, but confident demeanor set him apart as a
class leader.
Grif was
commissioned as a Field Artillery officer in June 1954, and he began
his career at the FA Officer’s Basic Course, Fort Sill, OK, followed
by Ranger school in 1955. His first assignment was with the 276th
Armored FA Bn at Fort Knox, KY, where he served as a battery
commander. While at Fort Knox, Grif met and married his first wife,
the former Elizabeth (Betty) Weatherford, and their son Mark was
born in 1956.
In 1957 Grif went
back to Fort Sill to attend the Surface-to-Surface Missile Battery
Officer’s course, then to Fort Holabird, in Baltimore, MD, for the
Intelligence Research Officer’s course. Their daughter Eleanor was
born here. In 1958, Grif joined the 3rd Infantry Division at Fort
Benning, GA, when it was undergoing preparations for its Gyroscope
rotation overseas. Grif served in the 3rd ID G-2 in Wurzburg,
Germany, from mid-1958 until early 1961. In 1959 their son Charles
was born.
Grif’s academic
success at West Point and performance as a young officer led to an
opportunity in 1962 to attend graduate school at Georgia Tech in
Atlanta, GA. While Grif pursued an MS in Electrical Engineering, his
daughter Mary was born. After graduating with an MSEE in 1964, Grif
was assigned as an Intelligence officer with the J-2 staff of MAC-V,
in Saigon, Vietnam. During these long months, Grif maintained
contact with his family using portable reel-to-reel tape players.
The family eagerly awaited the arrival of his tapes and enjoyed
sharing the latest news from back home.
After his return
from Vietnam, Grif was assigned to the Ordnance Center, Aberdeen
Proving Ground, MD, where he and his family had the unique
opportunity to live on Spesuti Island in an old hunting lodge
converted to housing. Grif’s children enjoyed fishing and exploring
the island, while Grif joined other residents in creating a
wonderful community garden.
After attending
the Command and General Staff College, Grif was transferred to
Nurnberg, Germany. Based in Zirndorf, Grif commanded the 1st
Battalion, 22nd Field Artillery, 4th Armored Division, between
August 1969 and April 1971. The unit operated M109, 155mm
self-propelled howitzers and maintained stockpiles of both
conventional and nuclear rounds, an immense responsibility during
the Cold War. Grif’s highly competent and calm leadership as well as
genuine concern for his soldiers was evident in the success of his
unit. During both tours in Europe, Grif and Betty took advantage of
opportunities to travel and explore with their children, from skiing
in Garmisch to visiting the beaches of Normandy and Brittany.
Upon his return to
the United States in 1973, Grif attended the Industrial College of
the Armed Forces and was subsequently assigned as the TRADOC Systems
Manager for the Firefinder radar system. Grif’s final assignment was
as Professor of Military Science at the University of Tennessee in
Knoxville. He particularly enjoyed this opportunity to work with
young people and help train them for careers as Army officers. His
cadets received the 1982 Warrior of the Pacific trophy at the Fort
Lewis ROTC Advanced Camp. Grif was immensely respected by the
cadets, and just prior to his retirement they established the
Richard W. Griffin Scholarship Award in his honor. After his
retirement as a colonel in March 1984, Grif joined the staff of the
University of Tennessee as Associate Director of Admissions. He
later served as the Acting Director of Admissions at UT and Director
of Admissions at Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL.
Grif was an
exceptionally honest and humble man, never one to brag, although he
was highly adept at any task he undertook. He loved to build,
whether it was handcrafting furniture or constructing a go-cart for
his children. He was a master at telling jokes and funny stories.
His positive attitude and strong self-motivation both benefited and
inspired his children and grandchildren. His appreciation for his
experience at West Point led him to encourage his daughter Eleanor
to apply and become a member of the class of 1980.
In 1988, Grif and
Betty separated, and later divorced. Grif married the former Wanda
Qualls, of Knoxville, TN, in 1990. He and Wanda spent their year’s
together living in Oklahoma and Florida. On Feb 10, 2008, Grif lost
his battle with emphysema and lung cancer and passed away with his
wife and children at his side. His service to his country and to his
family will never be forgotten.
— Eleanor Griffin,
Charles Griffin, Mary Hall & Rosemary Hall |
