Carl William Griffin, CSM, USA (Ret)
Searcy Funeral Home and Crematory, 1301 Neal Metcalf Road, Enterprise, AL 36330Viewed: 1750
Posted by: MikeThompson
[email protected]
334-393-2273 or 334-347-2517
Date: Dec 27 2012 4:23 PM
Carl William Griffin, CSM, USA (Ret), passed away, Tuesday, December 25, 2012 in Enterprise. He was 88. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M., Monday, December 31st at Searcy Funeral Home and Crematory Chapel with Rev. Rob West officiating. Burial will follow in Meadowlawn Cemetery with Searcy Funeral Home directing. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 2:00 to 4:00 P.M., Sunday, December 30th. Born in Columbus, son of Marie and Marvin G. Griffin, enlisted in military in 1941, serving first as a gunner instructor in what was then the Army Air Corps before getting Airborne training and becoming a member of the 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division. He served in the European Theater during World War II at Ardennes and the Battle of the Bulge from the winter of 1944 through its ending in 1945. Following the war, as a Master Parachutist, he served with the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, NC, later going to Japan in 1948 to the 11th Abn. Div. With hostilities in Korea, he was a platoon sergeant with the 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team. After the Korean War, CSM Griffin was assigned to the 11the Abn. Div. at Ft. Campbell, KY from 1952 to 1954, where he served as engineer platoon sergeant, first sergeant, operations NCO and finally, battalion sergeant major of the 511th Airborne Infantry Regiment. From Ft. Campbell he deployed with the 11th Abn. Div. to Germany as part of “Operation Gyroscope” which rotated the 11th Abn. with the 5th Inf. Div. involving a complete transfer of men and equipment. In 1956, he served with the 11th Abn. and 24th Inf. Div. as an operations sergeant, then first sergeant of C Troop, 17th Cavalry, the first “sky cavalry” unit, where helicopters replaced ground scout vehicles. While serving with the 17th Cav., he participated in operations in Lebanon in 1958. While in Lebanon, he was selected to be one of the Army’s first NCO’s to earn the rank of master sergeant. In late 1958 he was assigned to Ft. Bragg as Sergeant Major of the 325th Inf., 1st Airborne Battle Group, 82nd Abn. Div and later selected to serve as division sergeant major of the 82nd. His next move was to the Pentagon, serving as the senior NCO for the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, Personnel from 1963-1965. In that capacity, he was also the enlisted representative to the Department of the Army staff worldwide in matters affecting enlisted men, such as pay and housing. He was one of the first selected to receive the new rank of command sergeant major and was assigned to Ft. Rucker as post command sergeant major. In 1967, he deployed to Korea where he served as the Eighth Army and U.S. Forces Korea command sergeant major. Following his tour in Korea, he returned to Ft. Rucker and resumed his duties as post sergeant major where he served until retirement in 1969 with 28 years of service. His next move was to ROTC instructor at Enterprise High School for two years; and then to manager of the Chamber of Commerce for a brief period. From there he assumed the duties of City Clerk and Administrator and served the City of Enterprise for 18 years. After all that he had time to enjoy his love of painting, finishing oil portraits for family and friends. He was always interested in fishing, family, friends, people he worked with, basebal especially young folks he taught and those he coached in Little League. He had a light manner, always ready with a laugh. He truly cared for others. He was a good man. He was a good soldier. Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Faye McClenny Griffin; Sons, Carl W. Griffin, Jr. wife Lorelle, Monmouth Beach, NJ; Timothy M. Griffin, wife Angela, Dothan, AL; Marvin L. Griffin, wife Alison, Ft. Hood, TX; Daughter, Cecilia Allan, husband Brian, Houston, TX; Grandsons, Carl E. Griffin;,wife Carrie, Monmouth Beach, NJ; Timothy P. Griffin; wife Kym, Monmouth Beach, NJ; Zachary Johnson, Houston, TX; Hunter Bridges, Dothan, AL; Benjamin J. Griffin, Ft. Hood, TX; William M. Griffin, Ft. Hood, TX; Granddaughter, Sarah Johnson, Houston, TX; Great Grandson, Carl E. Griffin, Jr., Monmouth, NJ; Great Granddaughter, Samantha Griffin, Monmouth Beach, NJ.
You may sign the register book or send condolences to the family at our website: www.searcyfuneralhome.com.
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