Recognized as first American casualty in World War II. Married to Lucille Griffin. Son of Pearl Daniel Griffin and Pernia Myretta Thornburg Griffin. Brother of Charles Donovon and Roger Alphas Griffin. Enlisted October 6, 1930 and served aboard USS California, USS Tennessee and USS Saratoga. Graduated as Naval Aviation Pilot in 1938 and stationed at Pearl Harbor to fly patrol missions with water borne aircraft. Served as Kaneohe Bay with Patrol Squadron 12. Shot down as he got airborne responding to Japanese attackers and killed by machine gun fire while swimming to shore. Destroyer escort USS Daniel T. Griffin named for him.