Fallen Indiana Army sergeant, honored by Obama, was son of a Mormon bishop, champion wrestler

Ind. soldier was ‘free spirit,’ champion wrestler

INDIANAPOLIS — Sgt. Dale Griffin was the son of a Mormon bishop, a champion wrestler and college student who was struggling to find his way when he turned to the military.

He was killed Tuesday in a roadside bomb in Afghanistan. His body came home in a line of flag-draped coffins saluted in Thursday by President Barack Obama at Dover Air Force Base.

The 29-year-old Terre Haute, Ind. soldier’s family was the only one of 18 families of fallen Americans who were on the cargo plane Thursday who agreed to allow the media to document his return.

Family friend Christopher Newton says Griffin was tough and resilient. Griffin attended Virginia Military Institute was named the Most Outstanding Wrestler at the 2000 All-Academy Wrestling Championship.