Cornelius “Connie” Griffin attended Saint Mary College in Kentucky until 1940, at which time he entered Saint Meinrad Major Seminary in Indiana, receiving his degree in 1944. From 1945 to 1946 he served as a Yeoman Second Class in the U.S. Naval Reserve. He entered Pontifical College Josephinum, in Worthington, Ohio, and upon completion of his studies, was ordained a Catholic priest in the Diocese of Tucson, Arizona, in May 1948. He first served as Assistant Pastor of All Saint’s Parish in Tucson from 1948 to 1949, at which time he was commissioned a U.S. Navy chaplain. In 1950 he was attached to the FIRST Marine Division for service during the Korean War, where he was wounded in action and earned the Silver Star. In that action his assistant, Marine Sergeant Mathew Caruso, was killed in his efforts to save Father Griffin’s life, and was himself awarded the Silver Star. Father Griffin was a patient at the Naval Hospital in Oakland, California, and then at Great Lakes, Illinois, until June 1952. He then served at the Marine Corps Barracks, Camp Pendleton, California, until 1954, where he was instrumental in naming a chapel there for Sergeant Caruso. He then began a series of ship-board assignments aboard the U.S.S. Sperry and U.S.S. Midway until 1961. He retired from active duty in 1962 as a U.S. Navy commander.
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Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant, Junior Grade (ChC)Batallion:
2nd BattalionRegiment:
7th MarinesDivision:
1st Marine Division (Rein.)Action Date:
November 2 – 8, 1950
Commanding General, 1st Marine Division (Reinforced) FMF: 2615 (January 21, 1951)The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant, Junior Grade (ChC) Cornelius Joseph Griffin (NSN: 0-522437), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as Chaplain for the Second Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea during the period 2 November through 8 November 1950. On 3 November at 0130 the enemy conducted a fierce coordinated night attack against elements of the Seventh Marines. During the height of the attack Chaplain Griffin continually exposed himself to heavy enemy fire as he moved among the troops lending encouragement. His very presence and display of courage inspired the men about him and aided materially in a rapid consolidation of the lines. During the later morning of 3 November the same units of the Seventh Marines were subjected to heavy small arms fire. Chaplain Griffin left the comparative security of the battalion sick bay where he was rendering aid to the wounded and moved back to the front lines. Here he repeatedly exposed himself without regard for his personal safety to render what aid he could to the men wounded in the attack. Chaplain Griffin served as a veritable pillar of strength for the men of the organization and served as an unforgettable inspiration to all who observed him. His knowledge, use of first aid, coupled with the spiritual comfort he lent, proved to be invaluable assets to the organization. Chaplain Griffin’s heroic actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant, Junior Grade (ChC)Batallion:
2d BattalionRegiment:
7th MarinesDivision:
1st Marine Division (Rein.)Action Date:
November 2 – 8, 1950
Commanding General, 1st Marine Division (Reinforced) FMF: 2615 (January 21, 1951)The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant, Junior Grade (ChC) Cornelius Griffin (NSN: 0-522437), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as Chaplain for the Second Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea during the period 2 November through 8 November 1950. On 3 November at 0130 the enemy conducted a fierce coordinated night attack against elements of the Seventh Marines. During the height of the attack Chaplain Griffin continually exposed himself to heavy enemy fire as he moved among the troops lending encouragement. His very presence and display of courage inspired the men about him and aided materially in a rapid consolidation of the lines. During the later morning of 3 November the same units of the Seventh Marines were subjected to heavy small arms fire. Chaplain Griffin left the comparative security of the battalion sick bay where he was rendering aid to the wounded and moved back to the front lines. Here he repeatedly exposed himself without regard for his personal safety to render what aid he could to the men wounded in the attack. Chaplain Griffin served as a veritable pillar of strength for the men of the organization and served as an unforgettable inspiration to all who observed him. His knowledge, use of first aid, coupled with the spiritual comfort he lent, proved to be invaluable assets to the organization. Chaplain Griffin’s heroic actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.