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name
RIGG, Harry E - Date of
birth
10 December 1922 -
Age
21 - Place of
birth
Conshohocken, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania -
Hometown
Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
33488226 -
Rank
Technical Sergeant -
Function
Top Turret Gunner -
Unit
325th Bombardment Squadron,
92nd Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
16 July 1944 - Place of
death
Birkenzell, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| D | 6 | 55 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Harry B. Rigg (father)
Laura E. Rigg (mother)
Norris M. Rigg (brother)
Evelyn Rigg (sister)
Virginia R. (Harris) Rigg (wife)
Harry E. Rigg Jr. (son)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-31978 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: Dottie G II
Destination: Munich, Germany
Mission: Factories
MACR: 7571
More information
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’clockin 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 was 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 18000. Our altitude was approximately 23000. Lt Herrington got the fire under control and 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 20mm shell in the head and killed instantly.
He was first buried at Temporary American Military Cemetery of St. Avold, France
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Terry Hirsch, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov – WWII Enlistment Record, www.ancestry.com - U.S., Headstone and Interment Records for U.S. Military Cemeteries on Foreign Soil / 1930 Census / Pennsylvania, Veteran Compensation Application Files, WWII, www.fold3.com
Photo source: Jac Engels, Hanover High School 1941