Edwin Grissett was born on September 19, 1943, in Anacortes, Washington. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps on September 21, 1960, and completed basic training at MCRD San Diego, California, in December 1960. Pvt Grissett next attended AmTrac Crewman training at MCB Camp Pendleton, California, from December 1960 to June 1961, followed by service as an AmTrac crewman with the 3rd Armed Amphibious Company, 3rd AmTrac Battalion of the 1st Marine Division at Camp Pendleton from June to August 1961. He served as a guard at Marine Base Naha, Okinawa, from August 1961 to February 1963, and then as an AmTrac crewman with Headquarters & Service Company, 1st AmTrac Battalion of the 3rd Marine Division at Camp McGill, Japan, from February 1963 to January 1965. His next assignment was as a Recon Scout with the 1st Force Recon Company of the 1st Marine Division at Camp Pendleton from January to August 1965, and then deployed to South Vietnam as part of Subordinate Unit #1, 1st Recon Company of the 3rd Marine Division from August 1965 until he was captured and taken as a Prisoner of War while conducting a rescue mission on January 22, 1966. After spending 1,037 days in captivity, Sgt Grissett died at the hands of his Viet Cong captors on November 23, 1968. His remains were returned to the United States on January 23, 1989.

His Bronze Star Medal w/Valor Citation reads:

For heroic achievement while interned as a Prisoner of War in Southeast Asia from January 1966 to December 1968. Sergeant (then Lance Corporal) Grissett's resistance to his captors use of physical and mental torture in order to obtain information demonstrated his devotion to duty and the United States. Strictly adhering to the Code of Conduct, he attempted to effect his escape from captivity only to be thwarted by his captors. Subjected to the adverse conditions of the prisons of Southeast Asia and harsh treatment of his captors, Sergeant Grissett was forced to rely on his own inner strength in order to resist efforts to subjugate him. By his steadfast performance of duty, courage, and dedication, Sergeant Grissett reflected great credit upon himself, the Marine Corps, and the United States Naval Service.

The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.