WELDON M. RIGGS, LT, USN

From USNA Virtual Memorial Hall
Weldon Riggs '52

Date of birth: January 28, 1930

Date of death: April 5, 1957

Age: 27

Lucky Bag

From the 1952 Lucky Bag:

1952 Riggs LB.jpg

Weldon Max Riggs

El Dorado, Kansas

Born and raised on the leisurely plains of Kansas, Max typified the warm friendliness and hardy spirit of the midwest. No task was ever too difficult for Maxwell, although he was continually persecuted by the reveille bell which "always rang two hours too soon." Warm, sincere, and a true gentleman, Max won many friends who will always remember his ever-present good humor and likable personality. A keen, agile mind enabled him to breeze through academics. He engaged in many activities such as plebe and JV football, the Foreign Relations Club, and company athletics. Honest effort and ability are certain to win Max the respect and admiration of his shipmates wherever he may go.


He was also a member of the 1st Regimental Staff (2nd set) and a recipient of an “E Award.”

1952 Riggs LB.jpg

Weldon Max Riggs

El Dorado, Kansas

Born and raised on the leisurely plains of Kansas, Max typified the warm friendliness and hardy spirit of the midwest. No task was ever too difficult for Maxwell, although he was continually persecuted by the reveille bell which "always rang two hours too soon." Warm, sincere, and a true gentleman, Max won many friends who will always remember his ever-present good humor and likable personality. A keen, agile mind enabled him to breeze through academics. He engaged in many activities such as plebe and JV football, the Foreign Relations Club, and company athletics. Honest effort and ability are certain to win Max the respect and admiration of his shipmates wherever he may go.


He was also a member of the 1st Regimental Staff (2nd set) and a recipient of an “E Award.”

Loss

"Max" was lost when his aircraft collided with another off Beirut, Lebanon, on April 5, 1957. He was flying from USS Forrestal with Attack Squadron (VA) 76; he had only reported in February as the Maintenance Officer.

Other Information

From researcher Kathy Franz:

Known as “Max,” he graduated from El Dorado High School in 1948 and lettered in football. In the Class Will, he reluctantly left his Jr. G-man badge to a junior classmate. In the Class Prophecy, Max is an Admiral on the tug boat “Annie.”

Besides his parents, Max was survived by two brothers Larry and Don and a sister Paula.

He was survived by his wife, Martha. (Information from June 1957 issue of Shipmate.)

He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

Related Articles

Lucien Borden '52 was also a member of the 1st Regimental staff.


Class of 1952

Weldon is one of 50 members of the Class of 1952 on Virtual Memorial Hall.

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