Leroy Griffin was delivered into this world by a Mid Wife on October 21, 1928 at his birth place in Globe, Arizona. He was attending school when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7th, 1941. LeRoy was 15-1/2 years old at the time of the Normandy invasion on June 6, 1944. Joining the Army at age 17, he became part of the Allied WWII occupying force upon Germany’s surrender in 1945.
He was sworn in at Phoenix, Arizona and sent via train to Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland where he received EOD (Explosive Ordinance Demolition) training. Upon completion of training, Leroy was shipped via Liberty Ship to Le Havre, France arriving in the spring of 1946.
From Le Havre, LeRoy traveled via Train to Heidelberg, Germany where his unit began the important, life-saving task, of removing un-exploded munitions that littered the countryside. With this task completed his unit was transferred to Military Police duty guarding the German border where roadblocks were established.
His unit had specific instructions to examine the upper arms of all men passing through the border and detain persons with the infamous Twin Lightning bolt Tattoo emblematic of SS Trooper (Storm Trooper) service. These men were eventually sent to Nuremberg to face the War Crimes Tribunal.
Leroy was later transferred to the 91st Field Artillery where he was involved in an accident resulting in serious injury. He was initially treated at a German Hospital before boarding a Hospital ship that returned him to the United States and eventually Fitzsimmons General Hospital located in Aurora, Colorado a suburb of Denver.
Following a Medical Operation and rehabilitation, LeRoy was shipped to Fort Hood, Texas where he participated in sports programs, including football, until his Honorable Discharge.
LeRoy is a 22 year continuous member of the American Legion and a Post 240 Past Commander. He has served the Post as Adjutant and Officer in Charge of the Honor Guard Rifle team and presently serves as Post 240 Chaplain, a position he has held for several years. His loyalty and dedication to Post 240 and its activities, especially The Honor Guard Team are unequaled.
He displays the same dedication to many other community civic organizations such as; Life Time Member of VFW and DAV (Disabled American Veterans). He is a member of The Masonic Lodge; Old Goats, Lions and Elks Clubs; and a Life Member of Texas Chaplains Association.
He is also known throughout the community as ‘Candyman’ having established the practice of giving a piece of candy to everyone he meets.
Turnbow-Higgs Post 240 The American Legion Department of Texas chartered in 1920 has bestowed Honorary Life Memberships on only nine of its members in its long history.
In 2007, LeRoy ‘Candyman’ Griffin became the seventh to be so honored.
