Gordon C. "Jack" Griffis 1925-1945

GRIFFIS, KEELER

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 10/29/2011 at 22:30:18

Killed in Action While in France
Telegram Received Today By His Parents Here
Pfc.Gordon (Jack) C. Griffis, 19 year old son of Mr. and Mrs. E. G. Griffis of Estherville, was killed in action Jan 6. somewhere in France according to a telegram received from the war department at noon today.

Private Griffis who left the United States for overseas duty shortly before Thanksgiving day, had been stationed somewhere in southern England. It is believed by his parents, that by New Year's day Private Griffis and members of the company he was with had crossed the English channel and were stationed in France. The last letter received in Estherville on Jan 5 had been written from France.

Private Griffis, who was born in Estherville, attended the Estherville schools and was graduated from the Estherville high school in the spring of 1943. July 31 of that year he enlisted in the A.S.T.C. and after taking a three-month course in that training, was sworn into the army service in November, 1943. He took basic training at Fort Benning. GA., and was later sent to Camp Rucker, Ala., for advanced training before being sent overseas in the fall.

He was a member of the Presbyterian church in Estherville. He is survived by his parents, and his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Keeler of Estherville. His father is a veteran of World War I. (Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, IA, January 25, 1945)