Private First Class Griffin was a member of the 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division. On 16 September 1950, the night after participating in the Inchon, Korea landing, he was on a volunteer mission to carry ammunition to a beleaguered patrol of Marines. After crossing the Inchon-Seoul Highway safely he returned to render assistance to his wounded comrade. He was struck by an enemy sniper's bullet.

Griffin was awarded the Purple Heart, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.