Tyler Owen Griffin – Lance Corporal, United States Marine Corps

U.S. Department of Defense

Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)
News Release

IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 266-10
April 05, 2010

DOD Identifies Marine Casualties

The Department of Defense announced today the death of two Marines who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

The following Marines died April 1, 2010, while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan:

Lance Corporal Tyler O. Griffin, 19, of Voluntown, Connecticut

Sergeant Frank J. World, 25, of Buffalo, New York

Griffin was assigned to 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

World was assigned to 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

For additional background information on these Marines, news media representatives may contact the II Marine Division public affairs office at 910-450-6575.


12 April 2010:

On Monday the body Lance Corporal Tyler Griffin will return home to Connecticut. Voluntown officials say body is set to arrive in his hometown between 6 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

togriffin-photo-01

Griffin was 19 when he killed during combat operations in Afghanistan on April 1, 2010.

You are urged to line the route the hearse and its escorts will take on Route 165 through Voluntown to the Gagne-Piechowski Funeral Home in Jewett City.

Calling hours will be held at the funeral home Tuesday night, followed by a memorial service Wednesday in the center of Voluntown. Both events are public.

Burial arrangements haven't been set. Officials say Griffin asked in his will to be buried at Arlington National Cemetery.


18 April 2010:

An emotional night in Voluntown as a wake is held for a Marine killed in Afghanistan.

Dozens of mourners lined up outside a Jewett City funeral home to pay their respects to Lance Corporal Tyler Owen Griffin, 19.

American flags held by Patriot Guard riders lined the front of the funeral home.

Griffin was only one month into his tour, when he was killed April 1, 2010.

Mourners came out to say goodbye to a man who won't soon be forgotten.

“It”s hard on all of us at the school. It's hard on the entire community. He was a great kid, always smiling. He's one of those kids who was polite, had great manners and would always remember you,” said Ed Duncan, Griffin's 6th grade teacher.

Calling hours will be held Tuesday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Gagne-Piechowski Funeral Home in Jewett City.  A memorial service will be held Wednesday at 10 a.m. at Voluntown Baptist Church, with a reception to follow at Voluntown Elementary School.

Voluntown Public Schools will be closed on Wednesday for the services.  Griffin will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery on April 19, 2010.

On Monday, Crowds lined the streets in salute to a fallen Marine.

“I think it was awesome, everybody came out for him,” Denise Dannibale, of Voluntown, said.

Griffin's family couldn't have been more proud of him and they were touched by all of those in Voluntown who shared their pride and respect.

“Just having them raise their flag and cross their heart and show their support for Tyler, it was very heartwarming and very touching, and moving. It moved me very much,” Catherine Williams, Griffin's aunt, said.

“It was just overwhelming, totally overwhelming. I didn't believe that there would be that many people here to tell you the truth, but then again, it's Voluntown, so we knew that they'd be out supporting Tyler and his family,” added Bridget Horan, Griffin's grandmother.

“We want to show our support for the family and let him know that all the veterans are feeling for him and the family,” Ed Bachand, with the V.F.W. Post 10004 Color Guard, said.

“We are here to honor young Tyler, who wasn't only a boy, he was a man, and I respect him for what he's done for his country, and he's given the ultimate sacrifice for us,” said Bill Lachapelle, sergeant for the Color Guard.

The sign outside of Voluntown Elementary School reads “Tyler Griffin: Our Hero.”

Arlington Burial Afghanistan

The casket of Marine Lance Corporal Tyler Griffin arrives for burial at Arlington National Cemetery on Monday, April 19, 2010

APTOPIX Arlington Burial Afghanistan Arlington Burial Afghanistan

Friends and family members of Marine Lance Corporal Tyler O. Griffin look on as his casket is carried
by a Marine honor guard during a burial ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery on Monday, April 19, 2010

GRIFFIN, TYLER OWEN

  • LCPL   US MARINE CORPS
  • DATE OF BIRTH: 06/04/1990
  • DATE OF DEATH: 04/01/2010
  • BURIED AT: SECTION 60  SITE 9153
    ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

togriffin-gravesite-photo-by-eileen-horan-june-2010-002 togriffin-gravesite-photo-by-eileen-horan-june-2010-003 togriffin-gravesite-photo-by-eileen-horan-may-2010-002

 

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