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The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Commander James Francis Rigg (NSN: 0-79142), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane and Commanding Officer of Fighting Squadron FIFTEEN (VF-15, attached to the U.S.S. ESSEX (CV-9), in action against enemy Japanese forces during the First Battle of the Philippine Sea on 19 June 1944. Leading his division in action against a large group of enemy aircraft, Commander Rigg maneuvered his forces for maximum striking power and directed attacks which largely destroyed the enemy forces. Remaining in action despite heavy damage to his own plane, he shot down one enemy plane and damaged four others. By his airmanship, fighting spirit and inspiring leadership, Commander Rigg upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Commander [then Lieutenant Commander]

    Batallion:

    Fighting Squadron 15 (VF-15)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Essex (CV-9)

    Action Date:

    November 11, 1944
    Commander 1st Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 0207 (March 20, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Commander [then Lieutenant Commander] James Francis Rigg (NSN: 0-79142), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron FIFTEEN (VF-15, attached to the U.S.S. ESSEX (CV-9), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of the Philippine Islands on 11 November 1944. Leading his squadron on a series of strikes against an enemy convoy in Ormoc Bay, Commander Rigg defied intense anti-aircraft fire and relentless aerial opposition to execute strafing runs over five hostile destroyers in an attempt to divert their fire from our bomber and torpedo planes and, in addition, succeeded in scoring a direct hit on an enemy transport, thereby contributing to its sinking. By his airmanship and devotion to duty throughout this hazardous operation, Commander Rigg upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Commander [then Lieutenant Commander]

    Batallion:

    Fighting Squadron 15 (VF-15)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Essex (CV-9)

    Action Date:

    September 14 – 22, 1944
    Board Serial 4748 (November 21, 1947)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Fourth Gold Star in lieu of a Fifth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Commander [then Lieutenant Commander] James Francis Rigg (NSN: 0-79142), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron FIFTEEN (VF-15, attached to the U.S.S. ESSEX (CV-9), in operations against enemy Japanese forces in the Philippine Islands from 14 to 22 September 1944. Completing his fortieth mission during this period, Commander Rigg pressed home damaging strafing and bombing attacks against enemy aircraft , installations and shipping in the face of hostile anti-aircraft and aerial opposition. His courageous devotion to duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Commander [then Lieutenant Commander]

    Batallion:

    Fighting Squadron 15 (VF-15)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Essex (CV-9)

    Action Date:

    June 11, 1944
    Board Serial 4748 (November 21, 1947)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Silver Star in lieu of a Sixth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Commander [then Lieutenant Commander] James Francis Rigg (NSN: 0-79142), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron FIFTEEN (VF-15, attached to the U.S.S. ESSEX (CV-9), in action against enemy Japanese forces on Saipan, on 11 June 1944. Participating in a strike against enemy aircraft and shipping, Commander Rigg destroyed two hostile planes despite hostile anti-aircraft fire and aerial opposition. His courageous devotion to duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Bronze Star Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Commander [then Lieutenant Commander]

    Action Date:

    January 27 – September 2, 1945

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal to Commander [then Lieutenant Commander] James Francis Rigg (NSN: 0-79142), United States Navy, for meritorious achievement as Officer-in-Charge of Training of Carrier Air Groups on the Staff of Commander Air Force, Pacific Fleet, in connection with operations against enemy Japanese forces in the Pacific War Area from 27 January 1945 to 2 September 1945. Directing the training of carrier air groups in the Hawaiian area, Commander Rigg supervised all their activities, evaluated their readiness for combat, corrected deficiencies as they became apparent and modified and improvised the training syllabi as necessary. Utilizing his previous combat knowledge, he skillfully prepared twenty-seven carrier and light carrier air groups and ten escort carrier air groups for combat, with a margin of superiority over the enemy which reduced our operational losses to a minimum. Commander Rigg contributed materially to the success of our forces against the enemy. By his professional ability and sound judgment, he upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Batallion:

    Fighting Squadron 15 (VF-15)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Essex (CV-9)

    Action Date:

    September 12, 1944
    Commander 1st Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 0762 (October 29, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander James Francis Rigg (NSN: 0-79142), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron FIFTEEN (VF-15, attached to the U.S.S. ESSEX (CV-9), while serving as the Leader of a flight of carrier based fighter planes in the vicinity of the Philippine Islands, on 12 September 1944. So ably did Lieutenant Commander Rigg lead his flight that seventeen enemy fighter planes were destroyed and control of the air was assured for the bombing attack which followed. He personally accounted for five enemy fighter planes, while airborne, and his courage and leadership were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Commander [then Lieutenant Commander]

    Batallion:

    Fighting Squadron 15 (VF-15)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Essex (CV-9)

    Action Date:

    July 18 – 21, 1944
    Board Serial 4748 (November 21, 1947)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Third Gold Star in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Commander [then Lieutenant Commander] James Francis Rigg (NSN: 0-79142), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron FIFTEEN (VF-15, attached to the U.S.S. ESSEX (CV-9), in operations against enemy Japanese forces on Guam from 18 to 21 July 1944. Completing his twentieth mission during this period, Commander Rigg pressed home damaging strafing and bombing attacks against enemy installations and gun positions. His courageous devotion to duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Commander [then Lieutenant Commander]

    Batallion:

    Fighting Squadron 15 (VF-15)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Essex (CV-9)

    Action Date:

    October 25, 1944
    Commander 2d Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 0287 (December 22, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Commander [then Lieutenant Commander] James Francis Rigg (NSN: 0-79142), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron FIFTEEN (VF-15, attached to the U.S.S. ESSEX (CV-9), in action against the enemy Japanese Fleet, during the Battle for Leyte Gulf on 25 October 1944. Courageously leading a flight of fighter planes in numerous strafing attacks against units of the enemy fleet, Commander Rigg silenced a large part of the hostile anti-aircraft fire and seriously damaged several destroyers. His fearless action facilitated the strikes of the bomber and torpedo planes, and his leadership was an inspiration to the other pilots who followed him in the attack. His devotion to duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.