Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Sergeant

    Batallion:

    1st Battalion

    Regiment:

    1st Marines

    Division:

    1st Marine Division (Rein.), FMF

    Action Date:

    October 30, 1965

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Albert Griffin (MCSN: 1441273), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as an 81-mm. Mortar Section Leader, attached to Company A, First Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in the Republic of Vietnam. On the morning of 30 October 1965, Company A was suddenly attacked by an insurgent communist (Viet Cong) force of approximately 300 to 400 men, supported by mortars and recoilless rifles. Almost immediately, Sergeant Griffin was wounded in both legs and temporarily stunned by mortar fire. As soon as he regained full consciousness, he began to calmly and effectively take charge of and regroup his section which had taken heavy casualties and lost one mortar in the attack. After organizing a portion of the section to stave off the enemy assault on his position, Sergeant Griffin formed the balance for ammunition resupply and immediately began to fire his one remaining mortar. He initially provided illumination for the Company to expose enemy targets, and thereby help the Company identify and repel the enemy. Without using a sight, and removing all increments from the high explosive rounds so the resultant barrel flash would not divulge his gun position, Sergeant Griffin calmly and expertly selected targets while traversing back and forth by moving the bipod legs. On one occasion, his fire dispersed a growing concentration of enemy at the base of the hill who were forming for a second attack. For the duration of the attack, despite the fact he was already painfully wounded, Sergeant Griffin fearlessly exposed himself to intense enemy fire from recoilless rifles, mortars, grenades, and small arms in order to keep his mortar in action. He continued his courageous actions for approximately two hours while firing more than one hundred 81-mm. high explosive illumination rounds. At the termination of the fighting, he was the last of the wounded in his section to be evacuated, attending first to the welfare of his men. Though his steady, courageous and inspirational leadership and heroic actions, he maintained his section as an effective unit, despite the fact that close to seventy percent had become casualties. The fire support he provided materially contributed to the ability of the Company to hold its position and inflict heavy casualties upon the Viet Cong attackers. By his courageous and selfless action, Sergeant Griffin upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.