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William M. Griffin
William M.
(Bill) Griffin was born June 17,1914 in Chicago, Illinois, the son of
William Law rence Griffin and
Lu Lu
Ryerson Griffin. He grew up on in Chicago and attended
Bowen High School. He worked as a
railroad machinist for the Illinois
Central Railroad from 1932-1941. Shortly after Pearl Harbor the railroad
companies began forming Railway Operating Battalions to aid in the war effort.
Bill Griffin enlisted as 1st Lt Engine House Foreman in the newly formed
743rd and this began the 20 year span of service in the US Army with Railway
Operating Battalions and Military Rail Services Units. He also served in the 3rd T.M.R.S. ,
765th during the Korean War and then the 8010th in Japan from
1952-1954. His brother Lt Col Lawrence B.
 Griffin
also served in the
U.S. Army.
William Griffin married
Lorraine Smith Kircher
in 1952
in Chicago, IL and they are my parents. My father is buried in
Jefferson
Barracks National Cemetery St Louis, MO.
Officers of 743 R.O.B.
Backrow L to R- Unk., Lt Allen, LT. Robertson, Lt. Simmons, Lt Gould, Lt
Stephenson, Lt Carter, Lt Harrington, Mr. Bull
Middle row L to R- Lt Gard, Lt Marsallis, Lt Wiliam M.Griffin, Lt Skinner, Lt
Lyons, Lt Stansberry, Chaplain Meske
Bottom Row L- R -Capt Stromen, Capt Donovan, Capt Shelton, Major Orvett(?), Col
Beach, Capt Reist, Capt. Mueller, Lt Sisson, Lt O. Harm
Above photo thanks to Lori Stephenson-Lori's
743rd site
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