USS Daniel T. Griffin

USS Daniel T. Griffin (DE-54/APD-38), a of the United States Navy, was named in honor of Ordnanceman Daniel T. Griffin (1911–1941), who was killed in action during the Japanese attack on the Hawaiian Islands. Namesake Daniel Thornburg Griffin was born on 25 March 1911 in Allendale, Illinois. He enlisted in the Navy on 6 October 1930 and served continuously until his death in his PBY Catalina during the Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941. Aviation Machinist's Mate First Class Griffin was cited by Commander-in-Chief, Pacific Fleet, for his prompt and efficient action and his utter disregard of personal danger in the defense of Naval Air Station Kaneohe Bay. He was first buried in Hawaii in December 1941 and was reinterred in Colorado Springs in October 1947. Construction and commissioning Daniel T. Griffin was launched on 25 February 1943 by the Bethlehem-Hingham Shipyard, Hingham, Massachusetts, sponsored by Mrs. D. T. Griffin, and commissioned on 9 June. Service history After a voyage escorting a convoy to Casablanca, French Morocco, between 15 August and 24 September 1943 Daniel T. Griffin took up convoy duty between New York and Northern Ireland, making eight transatlantic voyages between 13 October 1943 and 23 September 1944. She arrived at Staten Island, New York on 22 October for conversion to a Charles Lawrence-class high speed transport. She was reclassified APD-38 on 23 October 1944.