[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 48 (Wednesday, March 15, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3962-S3963]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   ROBERT PERRIN GRIFFIN: IN MEMORIAM

  Mr. HOLLINGS. Madam President, I rise today to pay tribute to Robert 
Perrin Griffin, a good friend who passed away last year.
  Bobby Griffin was a native son of South Carolina. Born in Bishopville 
in 1992, he served as a U.S. Senate page for our beloved former 
colleague, Senator ``Cotton Ed'' Smith of South Carolina, from 1937 to 
1939, and as chief page for Vice President John Nance Garner of Texas. 
He graduated from the Citadel in 1943, 1 year after I did.
  After college, Bobby joined the Army. As a soldier, he distinguished 
himself as a brave leader. As a patrol officer in World War II under 
Gen. George Patton in the 3d Army, 26th Division, Captain Griffin led 
his men into the first occupation of many enemy towns in Europe. In 
fact, he commanded his company in the first contact with German troops 
in the Ardennes campaign of 1944.
  Madam President, Bobby Griffin was a man of enormous courage. He 
served our country with great distinction and 
 [[Page S3963]] honor. Bobby was one of the few U.S. soldiers who was a 
prisoner of war twice. He was captured at the Battle of the Bulge in 
1994 and was a German prisoner of war. He then escaped, but was 
recaptured. For his bravery, Bobby was awarded numerous medals and 
honors including: the Silver Star, two Bronze Stars, four Purple 
Hearts, a P.O.W. medal, the American Campaign medal, the World War II 
Victory medal, and the European African Middle Eastern Campaign medal.
  Following the war, he continued to serve our country as commander of 
the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post, 3181, in Florence and as State 
commander of VFW in 1951.
  Many around South Carolina remember Bobby best from his racing days. 
In 1950, he ran the first stock car in the first Southern 500 in 
Darlington. He was also one of the original owners of the Darlington 
International Raceway and past member of the board of directors.
  Bobby was an auto dealer from the 1950's through the mid-1960's. In 
the Pee Dee, you can still spot an Oldsmobile from Griffin Motors that 
Bobby probably sold. After retiring from the car company, as a vice 
president, he spent many years in Myrtle Beach as a real estate 
developer.
  Madam President, I would like to extend my thoughts and prayers to 
Bobby Griffin's friends and family. We will all miss him every much.


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