Memories of Joe Griffis

Teddy Bear Gaskell

Joe Griffis was my first team leader when I joined the LRRPs in Toy Hoa in July of 1966.  He died a few months later from malaria.  He had been hospitalized for malaria and apparently went out for a few beers, came back, went to sleep, and never woke up.

I recollect that he had re-enlisted (he had previously been an officer) after he had some kind of legal trouble after he got out of the service the first time.  He was married (and had a picture of an extremely beautiful woman) but I don't recall very much else about his personal life.  He was a good man though - kind of a gentleman.