| Duty
Position(s): Sergeant of the Guard Relief: Brief Army History: *First Sergeant of an Infantry Company at age 20 Units: |
|
| Awards
/ Decorations: Bronze Star (2nd Award) Meritorious Service Medal (2nd Award) Army Commendation Medal (2nd Award) Army Good Conduct Medal (8th Award) National Defense Service Medal (2nd Award) Korean Service Medal Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal Vietnam Service Medal Vietnam Gallantry Cross (w/ palm) Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal (w/ date bar) United Nations Service Medal (Korea suspension bar) Presidential Unit Citation Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation Combat Infantry Badge (2nd Award) Tomb Guard Identification Badge |
Campaigns: Korea (1991-1995)
Vietnam (1961-1962) (1968-1969) |
Highest Rank:
Command Sergeant Major (E-9) |
| Home
City / State: Charleston, West Virginia |
Date of Birth: |
After the Army:
After retiring from the army, completed college and employed by South Carolina
State Government.
Family:
Married to my wife Dean since 1954. We have two daughters and "five of
the absolutely greatest grandchildren."
Current
Occupation:
Retired
Social Activities:
Do volunteer work for my church and help build houses for "Habitat For
Humanity."
Degrees/Schooling:
Business Management (Finance), Midlands Technical College
Most Memorable Moment at Tomb:
Being assigned as the Sergeant of The Guard was a humbling experience for
me.
I will always remain grateful for the opportunity and privilege to have been a
member of the Tomb Guard. I am grateful for the many memories of the visiting
dignitaries and the countless others that came to remember and pay their
respects. However, my favorite memories are of the members of the Tomb
Guard, the friendship and camaraderie we shared as we performed our awesome
duties together.
In November 1961, the decision had been made to send Military Advisors to
Southeast Asia and I received orders that I would be reassigned immediately. The
afternoon before I departed I was asked to come to observe one last guard change
and I did so.
After the guard change the relieved sentinel executed a very unexpected and strange movement. Instead of proceeding directly to the quarters, he marched in front of me, halted and came to Port Arms. The other members of the guard gathered around us. The company commander removed the bayonet from the sentinel's rifle and presented it to me. The bayonet had been engraved:
"This Bayonet Was
Presented To MSGT Rigsby As He Observed His Last Guard Change November
1961
Best Wishes From All Members of The Tomb Guard"
This bayonet continues to be one of my prized possessions and each time I look at it (with misty eyes) I remember the honor and respect bestowed upon me by "my brothers."
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