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COMPANY A
1st Battalion, 26th Marines
3d Marine Division (Rein), FMF
FPO San Francisco, California 96602
18 June 1968 My Dear Mrs. Griffin, The
untimely death of your son, Private First Class Theodore S. Griffin,
U. S. Marine Corps on 15 June 1968 near DaNang, South Vietnam, is a
source of great sorrow to myself as well as his many friends here in
the company. Please accept our deepest sympathy in your
bereavement. Theodore, as you know, was a
rifleman with our third platoon. On the afternoon of 15 June
1968, the battalion was conducting a search and destroy mission south
of DaNang. Our company came upon concealed enemy positions and
began receiving heavy fire from enemy mortars and automatic
weapons. The company engaged the enemy and at approximately 5:00
p.m. a mortar round exploded near Theodore and he was killed
instantly. I hope that you may find some
comfort in the knowledge that Theodore received the last rites of his
faith by Lieutenant Commander R. P. Beck, U. S. Navy Chaplain Corps
and that a Mass will be said in memory of Theodore when the tactical
situation permits. I realize that there
is little which may be said or done to alleviate your feelings, but I
hope that you will find some comfort in the knowledge that Theodore's
thoughtfulness and dependability were both the mark of a fine Marine
and a direct reflection of your influence in his life. I hope
that you may be further comforted in the knowledge that Theodore gave
his life in the pursuit of freedom for an oppressed people and in
support of his country and his fellow Marines. If
you feel that I may be of further assistance, please do not hesitate
to write me.
Sincerely yours,
RAY G. SNYDER
Captain, U. S. Marine Corps
Commanding
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