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<p><em>Robert Franklin “Bob” Griffin</em> was born in Fort Pierce, FL, where his father, a career Army Infantry officer, was stationed during World War II. Bob’s family moved multiple times—including tours in Korea, Libya, Germany, Italy and Iceland—before arriving in Arkansas, where his father was a professor of military science at the University of Arkansas. Bob and his brothers were very active in Boy Scouts, and all three obtained the Eagle Scout rank. Bob graduated from the university’s high school and, after a year of undergraduate studies at the University of Arkansas, received an appointment to join the West Point Class of 1967.</p>
<p>While at West Point, Bob continued his love of the outdoors as a member of the Scoutmasters’ Council, Mountaineering Club and Rifle Club. His strong religious upbringing led him to serve as a Protestant acolyte. Several classmates have commented that Bob often came across as a quiet, quick-witted person, which hid the compassionate, thoughtful, dedicated, thoroughly professional individual who was reliable and as good a friend as anyone could hope for. He would do anything for you. These characteristics served him well in the Infantry and eventually led him into a career in medicine.</p>
<p>Following graduation in 1967, Bob was commissioned into the Infantry. He attended the Infantry Officer Basic Course and Ranger School. Afterwards, Bob joined and trained with the 11th Infantry Brigade in Hawaii, deploying with the brigade to Vietnam. On August 25, 1968, Bob’s platoon led a company-level assault on an enemy bunker line near Tam Ky, Vietnam. They attacked into a hailstorm of enemy fire and were soon pinned down. After all the officers were killed or wounded, one of Bob’s squad leaders, Staff Sergeant Nick D. Bacon, a fellow Arkansan, rallied the survivors and led them to capture the bunker line. Although ordered to withdraw in advance of air strikes, Sergeant Bacon refused to pull back without evacuating his platoon leader and other wounded soldiers. Although badly wounded, Bob survived to receive the Silver Star and Purple Heart, and Sergeant Bacon was awarded the Medal of Honor for his extraordinary heroism. </p>
<p>Following a long recovery, Bob attended Emory University School of Medicine and transferred to the Medical Corps. After completing his internship and a tour as the brigade surgeon of the 193rd Infantry Brigade in Panama, Bob returned to Letterman Army Medical Center to begin his residency in general surgery. While on a rotation at Fort Ord, CA, he met his wife, Captain Ann Erickson, U.S. Army Nurse Corps, and upon completion of his residency they were assigned to the hospital at Fort Sill, OK. </p>
<p>They soon moved to Germany, where Bob served as the division surgeon of the 8th Infantry Division, commanded the 3rd Medical Battalion of the 3rd Infantry Division, served as the deputy commander of the 34th General Hospital, and commanded the 98th General Hospital in Nuremberg. Upon completion of the Army War College, Bob returned to Germany and deployed to Saudi Arabia for Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm as the VII Corps surgeon and deputy commander of the 332nd Medical Brigade. Returning from Desert Storm, Bob served as the 45th USMA surgeon and commander of Keller Army Hospital before becoming the Forces Command surgeon, upon which he was promoted to brigadier general in 1995. As a general officer, Bob served as the deputy commanding general of the U.S. Army’s Health Services Command at Fort Sam Houston, TX. Bob became the commanding general of D.D. Eisenhower Army Medical Center and the Southeast Regional Medical Command at Fort Gordon, GA, where he retired from the Army after 32 years of service.</p>
<p>Bob and his family moved to Vermont, where Bob became the senior medical director of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont and the chairman of the National Council of Physician Executives for the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. Later Bob joined Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield as senior vice president and chief medical officer in Little Rock, where he eventually retired after 17 years with Blue Cross. </p>
<p>Bob cherished his family time along the way, and he was especially fond of bicycle rides, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and growing berries and fruit trees. He also volunteered as a youth soccer coach and Boy Scout leader. He was an avid reader with a passionate interest in British naval history and Cold War espionage fiction, and upon retirement he resumed playing bridge with his friends in Little Rock.</p>
<p>Bob’s aptly titled 2019 autobiography, Raised to Serve, Selected to Lead, detailed a life of service and leadership that followed Bob from childhood. He was the recipient of the Distinguished Service Medal, the Silver Star Medal, four Legion of Merit Medals, two Bronze Star Medals, the Air Medal, the Purple Heart Medal and numerous campaign ribbons. He was also awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge, Senior Flight Surgeon Badge and the Ranger Tab. He was certified by the American Board of Surgery and became a fellow of the American College of Surgeons. </p>
<p>General Griffin was a soldier’s soldier who chose to serve in troop and maneuver assignments, usually overseas in the field with his beloved soldiers. Doctor Griffin was a healer and a surgeon who put the needs of soldiers and their families first and set an example for all who knew him. As a father and husband, Bob helped raise hard-working citizens who, along with their spouses, currently serve in uniform. It might be said that Bob Griffin was born into a military family, lived in a military family and left this world from a military family. </p>
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