Lucky Bag Yearbook

From the 1952 Lucky Bag:

Weldon Max Riggs

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.

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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.

Photographs

From ancestry.com

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