Photograph: Re-interment of Pearl Harbor Hero Navy Petty Officer First Class Daniel Thornburg Griffin, 1947

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This artifact is a black and white photograph taken by photojournalist Stan Payne of the Colorado Springs Gazette. It appeared on the front page of the newspaper on Saturday, 18 October 1947. 

How Does The Artifact Relate to Colorado History

Daniel T. Griffin was the first Coloradoan killed in the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Why Is This Artifact Significant?

This photograph captures the re-interment ceremony of Navy Petty Officer First Class Daniel Thornburg Griffin of Colorado Springs. Griffin attended Colorado Springs High School before he joined the Navy. On the morning of December 7, 1941 he was on duty with his PBY Catalina in Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, Hawaii Territory and was killed during the Japanese attack that morning. He was first buried in Hawaii in December 1941 and was returned to Colorado Springs in October 1947. Daniel T. Griffin was the first Coloradoan killed in the attack on Pearl Harbor, and is very likely the first American killed during the attack. This artifact is significant to the nation, the state of Colorado, and the City of Colorado Springs.

Artifact Is
Photograph
Artifact Significant To
Nation
Artifact Location

Pikes Peak Library District
20 N Cascade Ave
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
United States

Photograph: Re-interment of Pearl Harbor Hero Navy Petty Officer First Class Daniel Thornburg Griffin, 1947

Year(s) Nominated
2016