Biography

COL (R) Gerald K. Griffin

Gerald K. Griffin was born on 14 August 1936 in Baltimore, MD. He initially enlisted in the National Guard on 25 August 1953, just after his seventeenth birthday. From that point on, Jerry's life was defined by service to the United States of America and to his fellow soldiers. In January 1956, he further enlisted in the Regular Army and was soon identified as true leader of men. As such, he attended the Officer's Candidate School at Fort Benning, GA, and was commissioned in the Infantry on 24 June 1959. He immediately married Miss Patricia Raines (who we all have since come to know and love and refer to as "Saint Patricia" for her amazing patience and grace—just the kind of gal Jerry needed). Not one to avoid hard duty, Jerry volunteered for Special Forces and was transferred in May 1962 to Okinawa where he was assigned to the 1st Special Forces Group. While there, he deployed on two tour "short" tours to Vietnam before the major deployment of US forces there began in 1965. He was assigned as a Team XO for one tour and as commander of an A Team on the next. On his departure from Okinawa in 1965, Jerry was sent back to Vietnam where he was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry. With the Rangers , Jerry served as the A Company commander from October 1965 to May 1966. He was next assigned as the battalion S3 until June when he was selected to be the aide to MG William E. Dupuy, the CG of the 1st Infantry Division. From 1967 to 1971, he served in various staff assignments, as an instructor and as an advisor until he was sent to Fort Bragg, NC, and assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division. There he served as the Executive Officer of the 2nd Battalion (Airborne), 508th Infantry until 1974 when he was transferred to Korea. In Korea, Jerry was tapped to be the G1 for the 2nd Infantry Division at Camp Casey. On his return from the Land of the Morning Calm in 1975, Jerry was sent to the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, KY, where he was selected to command the 1st Battalion (Air Assault), 503rd Infantry. Upon his successful battalion command, Jerry was transferred in 1977 to Peoria, IL, where commanded the US Army Recruiting Command's Central US Recruiting District. Jerry next served as the Infantry Branch Chief, and later as the Chief of the Personnel Actions/Professional Development Division at the US Army Military Personnel Center in Washington, DC. After attendance at the War College, He was assigned to Headquarters, First US Army at Fort McPherson, GA, where was assigned as the First Army Assistant Chief of Staff for Personnel/G1. He retired from the US Army on 30 November 1984 after 31 years of service to the nation. While in service, Jerry was awarded the Silver Star for Valor, Legion of Merit (1OLC), Distinguished Flying Cross (1OLC), Bronze Star for Valor (3OLC), Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal (14 OLC) Army Commendation Medal (1OLC), and Purple Heart among many others. He was also awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge, Ranger Tab, and Master Parachutist Badge. Jerry's service to and with soldiers did not end in 1984. On retirement, Jerry went to work for the Vinnell Corporation and went to Saudi Arabia where was assigned as the Director of Training for the Saudi Arabian National Guard Modernization Program. He performed that task for four years until he returned to the United States in 1989 and worked as the Senior Vice President for an international outplacement firm for executives in the Washington, DC, area. In 1989, Jerry, along with four other former 16th Infantrymen, established the 16th Infantry Regiment Association at Fort Washington, MD. Jerry served as the Honorary Colonel of the 16th Infantry for almost 10 years, from 27 September 1996 to 2 August 2006. Through his leadership and sense service to soldiers, especially those of the 16th Infantry for whom he felt an exceptional kinship, he helped build what has arguably become the best Regimental Association in the US Army. It was a fitting achievement for a man who loved his fellow Soldiers and the Regiment. For all Jerry did for the nation, his soldiers, this Association, and most all for his family, may God rest his soul peacefully. He will be missed. Col Griffin (Jerry) left behind his wife Patricia and daughters Stacey and Leslie.  His son Jerry, was a San Diego police officer that was killed in the line of duty in 2003. Jerry will be buried in Arlington National Cemetery with full honors.  Services are scheduled for 11:00 am on Thursday, September 6, 2018 at the Old Post Chapel.  For more information,  please visit www.colonialfuneralhome.com