| US Navy captain James F. Rigg | |
|---|---|
|
File:File:James F. Rigg.jpeg James Rigg | |
| Birth name | James Francis Rigg |
| Nickname | Speedy[1] |
| Born | July 18, 1915 |
| Died | July 11, 2004 (aged 88)[2][3] |
| Place of birth | Saginaw, Michigan |
| Buried at | Arlington National Cemetery Quadrant I[2] |
| Allegiance |
 United States |
| Service/branch | United States Navy Air Corps |
| Years of service | 1941-1963 |
| Rank | Lieutenant Commander |
| Unit | Fighting Squadron 15 (VF-15) |
| Awards |
|
| Spouse(s) | Priscilla (nee) Adams[3] |
| Relations |
|
Cpt James Francis Rigg (July 18, 1915 - July 11, 2004) from Saginaw, Michigan was a World War II Double Ace pilot who shot down eleven Japanese aircraft in the Pacific Theatre of World War II, including a Japanese Ace.[5][6]
Education[]
Rigg was a student at the University of Michigan.[7]
Career[]
Photo of a Grumman F6F Hellcat
In July 1937 he joined the U.S. Navy Air Corps and became a fighter pilot.[7] During World War II Rigg was stationed on the USS Essex while commanding a squadron of Hellcats in the Philippines, he shot down five Japanese aircraft in one day. He was also given credit for sinking an enemy Destroyer ship.[5] His nickname was Speedy, and he was ranked the 12th Naval Ace of WWII. He was given credit for eleven and one half kills. He earned his reputation as part of the squadron commanded by David McCampbell.[1]
Awards[]
A gold medal awarded in May 2015 in recognition of U.S. fighter aces
- Congressional Gold Medal (2015)[4]
- Navy Cross[6] [N 1]
- 6 Distinguished Flying Crosses[5]
- Bronze Star Medal[5]
- 10Air medals[5]
- In 2004 he was inducted into the Rhode Island Aviation Hall of Fame[5]
See also[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Smith, Roger G. (1998). Guppy Pilot. United States: Roger G. Smith. ISBN 978-1-4670-3318-3. https://www.google.com/books/edition/Guppy_Pilot/PHD_Gt9C-SUC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=James+F.+Rigg+ace&pg=PA89&printsec=frontcover. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Arlington National Cemetery: Quadrant I". BillionGraves Holdings, Inc.. https://billiongraves.com/grave/James-Francis-Rigg/20574809.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "james rigg". Legacy. https://newspaperarchive.com/james-rigg-obituary-316050384/.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 113th Congress. "H.R.685 - American Fighter Aces Congressional Gold Medal Act". Library of Congress. https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/685/text. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 "CAP James F. Rigg, USN (Ret.)". Rhode Island Hall of fame. https://riahof.org/field-of-accomplishment/military/us-navy/cap-james-f-rigg-usn-ret.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "James Francis Rigg". The Wall of Valor Project. https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/20113.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Layton, Andrew (2007). Wolverines in the Sky. United States: Andrew Layton. ISBN 978-1-60266-389-3. https://books.google.com/books?id=QRPwnGAuGqMC&dq=James+Francis+Rigg&pg=PA39. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
Further reading[]
- Hammel, Eric (2010) [1992]. Aces Against Japan. New York: Pocket Books. ISBN 9781890988081.
- Hammel, Eric (1998). Aces in Combat: The American Aces Speak. 5. Pacifica, California: Pacifica Military History. ISBN 0935553614.
- Tillman, Barrett (1996). Hellcat Aces of World War 2. London: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 1855325969.
- Tillman, Barrett (1979). Hellcat: The F6F in World War II (1st ed.). Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 978-1557509918.
Notes[]
The original article can be found at James F. Rigg and the edit history here.