JEFFERSON CITY – Gov. Jay Nixon has ordered that the flags of the United States and the State of Missouri at all state government buildings statewide be flown at half-staff on Saturday (April 25) in honor of Sgt. Rodney L. Griffin, of Centralia, who was killed during the Vietnam War.

Sgt. Griffin, age 21, was a soldier in the United States Army, assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 34th Armored Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. He was killed in action on May 2, 1970, after the Army helicopter he was in received enemy ground fire and was forced to land in Cambodia.

Sgt. Griffin was listed as Missing in Action until 2015, when his remains were positively identified and returned to Missouri for interment. His funeral is scheduled for April 25 in Centralia. Gov. Nixon will attend the funeral to pay his respects, along with representatives of the Missouri National Guard, the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Missouri Veterans Commission.

“When the Vietnam War ended 40 years ago this month, more than 50 soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines from Missouri remained unaccounted for, including Sgt. Rodney Griffin,” Gov. Nixon said. “As Sgt. Griffin comes home to Missouri at last to be laid to rest, we remember his bravery and honor his sacrifice on behalf of our country. The tens of thousands of Missourians who served in Vietnam, and especially the more than 1,400 who lost their lives, merit our unending thanks and respect. That is especially due them because of the decades that have passed. God bless them and all who have served, or are now serving.”

Under Gov. Nixon’s order, U.S. and Missouri flags at state buildings statewide will fly at half-staff from sunrise until sunset on April 25, 2015.