Memorial

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T/Sgt Harry E. Rigg graduated from Hanover High School in 1941.

He enlisted in Allentown, Pennsylvania on 19 January 1943.

1st Lt William A. Hannigan Jr.: "On July 16, 1944, at 1030, returning from Munich by ourselves, Tail Gunner reported a B-17 being attacked by an ME-109. The B-17 in question was at 5 o’clock in relation to our position at that time 47.50 N – 10.20 E and was approximately one-half mile distant. The enemy fighter was seen to make two passes at this ship and then headed straight down as though he had been hit. The Fort then headed for us to take advantage of natural protection, and it was at this time that we saw it to be Lt Herrington in Q 978. Co-Pilot noticed fire under Herrington’s #3 engine, and at this time, 3 of his crew bailed out, but only one chute was seen to open above the cloud at 18,000. Our altitude was approximately 23,000. Lt Herrington got the fire under control, extinguished it, peeled off, and seemed to head for Switzerland. The ship appeared to be under control."

T/Sgt Harry E. Rigg was hit by a 20 mm shell in the head and killed instantly.