MAJ Jack D Griffiths 8/14/1919 - 8/31/1951The family of
MAJ Jack David Griffiths has invited the Patriot Guard Riders to be present to honor this hero for his service to his country. It will be our privilege to do so.
Major Griffiths, 32, was a veteran of World War II and the Korean War. In Sicily during WWII (August 1943), then First Lieutenant Griffiths received the Silver Star for "gallantry in action". The commendation read: “First Lieutenant Griffiths, with complete disregard for his personal safety, alternately ran and crawled across 1,000 yards of completely exposed terrain to the aid of an enlisted man at the battery observation post which was under heavy enemy mortar and artillery fire. With mortars and artillery shells landing as near as 25 yards from his person, First Lieutenant Griffiths made his way to the battery observation post, assisted the enlisted man to an alternate OP position from which First Lieutenant Griffiths conducted an adjustment on and silenced the enemy battery which had been shelling the observation post."
In Korea, he was a member of Headquarters Company, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division. He was taken Prisoner of War while fighting the enemy near Kunu-ri, North Korea on 30 November 1950. He and other prisoners were marched 50 miles to Camp 5, North Korea. Major Griffiths died in that camp on 31 August 1951.
For his leadership and valor, Major Griffiths was awarded the Silver Star Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Prisoner of War Medal, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation, the Republic of Korea War Service Medal and the World War II Victory Medal.
MAJ Griffiths’ son Joe last saw his father 67 years ago (1949) when the Major left for war. After nearly 7 decades, Joe and other family members can finally have closure as this hero has been returned home for burial at Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery.
NOTE: This mission posting is to facilitate your voluntary participation in honoring this Military Veteran. For those interested, and all are welcome, we will be accompanying the hero and his family from the mortuary to his final resting place. Please see the time table if you would like to participate. For those who would rather go directly to the cemetery we will meet you there.
Time Table for Wednesday, 11 Jan 2017: 1100 - Stage at Merkley-Mitchell Mortuary, 3655 5th Ave, San Diego, CA 92103
https://goo.gl/maps/Atkc9hc8ZTz1130 - Mission Briefing
1145 - Flag Line for Dignified Transfer to Coach
1200 - KSU for Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery, 1800 Cabrillo Memorial Dr, San Diego, CA 92106
https://goo.gl/maps/kkxwTYf2WDC21230 - (Est) Arrival at Ft Rosecrans NC
1300 - Flag Line, Funeral Service with Full Military Honors
R/C Lorenzo LizarragaSoCal PGR Ride Captain
619-971-2236
llizarraga@yahoo.com
You do not have to be a Veteran or a motorcycle rider to attend this mission. Everyone is welcome. We encourage those who do not ride to attend in your car. If this will be your first mission go to the initial staging area and you will be briefed there by the R/C (Ride Captain). Dress for motorcycle riding or dress casually if you are driving a cage (car). Please feel free to attend any portion of this mission you can. Please ride/drive safely.
Please post your condolences for the family at the following link:
https://www.patriotguard.org/showthread.php?427173
