John Griffith served in the U.S. Army as a Corporal with Battery F, 50th Coast Artillery Corps during World War I. He died on October 22, 1918. Corporal Griffith had enlisted in Third Company Coast Artillery Corps in Greensboro, the company being mobilized July 25, 1917, and was mustered into service July 31, 1917. He became corporal of his company on February 8, 1918. On October 6, 1918 he sailed with his company from Newport News, Virginia for Brest, France. During the voyage, he became ill and contracted double pneumonia. He was disembarked at Brest, October 21, and was immediately carried to Base Hospital No. 65. He developed pleurisy and died about twelve hours after being taken to the hospital.