Hezzie F. Griffis

Hezzie Franklin Griffis was born December 1, 1894 to well known and highly regarded Jesse Jackson "Jack" and Ann Irola Mayson Griffis. He grew up working on his family's farm in the Cleora section of Edgefield County. Hard work on the farm was rewarded with his family's yearly barbecues that drew large crowds for good food, good music and good fellowship.
 
Hezzie was known as a young man with honorable character and an exemplary lifestyle. Family stories were told that Hezzie loved to target shoot in his spare time. It was said he could hit 99 out of 100 cans.

At the age of 22, Hezzie followed in the footsteps of his grandfather, Dr. Robert Conway Mayson, a Confederate Army Surgeon; his uncles John Nicholas "Nick" Griffis, a scout in the Confederate War and William Burkhalter "Billy" Griffis, a Confederate solder. 

He enlisted in the army on September 19, 1917 joining Company E 118th Infantry 30th Division. After spending time training at Camp Jackson and Camp Sevier in South Carolina, Private Hezzie Franklin Griffis set sail in May 1918 from Hoboken, New Jersey for World War I fighting in Germany.

On this voyage with Hezzie was John Griffin, of White Stone, Spartanburg South Carolina. 

The two had become tent-mates, good friends and prospective brothers-in-law. 
John Griffin had introduced Hezzie to his sister, Amanda Elizabeth "Lizzy" Griffin.
The young soldiers fought hard for our country. 

The 30th Division was credited with successfully pushing the Germans back in the Battle of the Hindenburg Line by seizing control of the southern end of the St. Quentin Canal. On October 1, 1918 John Griffin lost his life in battle. His body was never recovered, but there is a tablet in his memory at Somme American Cemetery in Bony, France. 

Just a week later on October 8, 1918, Hezzie was wounded in the left leg and right thigh. He lay on the battlefield a week with only his fellow soldiers to tend his wounds. During that time, Hezzie's cousin, Pvt. William Walter Griffis went in search of his cousin's camp. He found the camp, but could not find Hezzie. 

In a letter dated October 11, 1918, Walter wrote home to his mother and tells her about his search and that he hopes "Hez" is all right.

Hezzie was finally moved to a French hospital where he had to have his left leg amputated just above the knee. He knew his condition was not good. He asked hospital staff to write to his family, back home in Edgefield, for him. He wanted them to know that he might not make it and that he loved them all very much. Hezzie died October 30, 1918. His family received a telegram on November 25, 1918 from the United States Government confirming the passing of their loved one. 

It was not until July 1921 that Jack Griffis and family were able, after much determination and hard work, to have their son's body removed from a French grave and brought home to Edgefield. 

American Legion Post 30, named in his honor, met the body and escorted it out of Berea Baptist Church for a burial with rites befitting the young soldier's sacrifice. Hezzie's parents later received three Certificates of Honor in their son's name. One of the certificates was from President Woodrow Wilson of the United States; one was from General John J. Pershing and the third was from the President of France.