Colonel Sanford “Sam” Woodrow Griffin, Jr., US Army (retired), 77, of Fort Mill, died Wednesday, June 17, 2015 at his home.Born in Fort Mill, Sam was a son of the late Sanford W. Griffin, Sr. and Katie Osborne Griffin. He attended Fort Mill Grammar School and was a 1956 graduate of Indian Land High School. While in high school, Sam served with the Fort Mill National Guard Co. H, 218th Infantry and B Troop, 263rd Armor. He was a 1964 graduate of Clemson College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry. Sam served in the Clemson ROTC and was on the Pershing Rifle Drill Team. In July 1964 Sam was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant and received the designation of Distinguished Military Graduate. He entered the Army Corps of Engineers on August 2, 1964 at Fort Belvoir, VA. Upon completion of Engineer Officers Basic, Sam entered the Atomic Demolition School and then Airborne School in November 1964 at Fort Benning, GA. He served proudly with the 82nd Airborne Division during 1965 and was one of the lead elements arriving in the Dominican Republic in April 1965, receiving the Bronze Star during the operation. Sam arrived in Vietnam for his first tour with the 1st Engineer Bn., 1st Infantry Division in January 1966 and served at Lai Khe and Di An as the Executive Officer and Platoon Leader in Company C, 1st Engineers. Sam’s second tour was as the Company Commander of Company C, 326th Engineer Battalion, 101st Airborne Division. Initially located in the Chu Chi area, the unit was relocated to the Quang Tri/Hue area just prior to the TET offensive. He was awarded five Bronze Stars, the Air Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, four Meritorious Service Medals, two Army Commendation Medals, and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Silver Star, along with his Master Parachutist Badge.During his military service, Sam was assigned to Furman University as a graduate student and obtained a Master’s Degree in Business Administration in 1973 while teaching basic accounting. Afterward he was assigned as an ROTC instructor and Assistant Professor of Military Science at Washington and Jefferson College in PA. Sam retired from the Army after being promoted to Colonel on July 1, 1986. His last assignments included The Corps Engineer for the XVIII Airborne Corps and the Assistant Inspector General at FORSCOM headquarters in Atlanta. After retirement from the Army, Sam was employed by the Town of Fort Mill and within one year was promoted to Town Manager. He served in this position for ten years until retirement in October 1997. Sam has been a Life Member in Post 9138 since his Army retirement, been an All State Post Commander as well as an All State Quartermaster, served as the District 5 Commander, National Aide-de-Camp, and Assistant Chief of Staff and Director of Public Relations for the State of South Carolina VFW. He was proud of being Membership Chairman for Post 9138 for 13 years and constantly obtained 100% in membership. Sam also served as the Chairman of the York County Veterans Council and Chairman of the Reunion Committee for the Fort Mill National Guard. Surviving are sons, Scott Griffin (Tara) of Lancaster and Stanley Griffin of Rock Hill; sister, Glenva Griffin Richardson (Gene); grandchildren, Melanie, Kayleigh and Sammy Griffin, Elizabeth Griffin; and nieces and nephews Amy, Walt, Chris Richardson and April Beachum. His brother, Ken Griffin preceded him in death.Memorial contributions may be made to: Osceola U.M.C., 6575 Charlotte Hwy., Lancaster, SC 29720; Hospice & Community Care, P.O. Box 993, Rock Hill, SC 29731; American Legion Dept. S.C., 103 Legion Plaza Road, Columbia, SC 29210Read Obituary
