Maj. Gen. Joseph Wesley Griffin Jr.  poses for a command photo.

Former Adjutant General Dead at 74

Former Adjutant General of Georgia, Maj. Gen. Joseph Wesley Griffin Jr., died Friday, July 1, at Hospitality Care Center of Thomas County. The Thomasville resident was 74. 

Born in Valdosta, Aug, 24, 1930, he also is a former director of the Georgia Emergency Management Agency and the Selective Service System in Georgia.

General Griffin's military career began July 1952 when he enlisted in the active Army after graduating from the University of Georgia. He earned his commission as a second lieutenant after graduating from Infantry Officer Candidate School. This led to his reassignment to the Army's Reserve Control Group - Reinforcement - during the early part of 1955.

By May of that year, General Griffin was promoted to first lieutenant in the Georgia Army National Guard. He assumed command of 2nd Battalion, 121st Infantry in December 1955, and remained with the unit until October 1976 when he became executive officer of the former 48th Infantry Brigade (now the 48th Brigade Combat Team). In February 1977, General Griffin moved to State Headquarters Detachment in Ellenwood where he served as chief of security, plans, and operations, and of the Guard's Military Support Branch. He was named deputy commander of Savannah's 118th Field Artillery Eight months later.

General Griffin returned the 48th as its deputy commander in November 1978 and later became the brigade commander. He was federally recognized as a brigadier general in February 1980. In November 1983, General Griffin was promoted the rank of major general and appointed Georgia's Adjutant General by then Gov. Joe Frank Harris. His rank was federally recognized in February the following year.

General Griffin retired at the rank of major general in January 1991.

Among his awards and decorations are the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, National Defense Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Army Reserves Components Achievement Medal and the Georgia Service Medal.