Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Ralph
Smith
Riggs
June 20, 1895

–

April 28, 1981

Cemetery:

Arlington National Cemetery

Ralph Riggs graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Class of 1918. He retired as a U.S. Navy Vice Admiral.

Awards Received

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Rear Admiral

    Action Date:

    December 5, 1944 – July 7, 1945
    Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 351 (June 1946)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Rear Admiral Ralph Smith Riggs, United States Navy, was awarded a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander Cruiser Division TWELVE and a cruiser/destroyer task group in operation against the enemy-held Philippine-Borneo area from 5 December 1944 to 7 July 1945.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Rear Admiral [then Captain]

    Division:

    U.S.S. South Dakota (BB-57)

    Action Date:

    March 18 – November 30, 1944
    Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 351 (June 1946)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Rear Admiral Ralph Smith Riggs, United States Navy, was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. SOUTH DAKOTA (BB-57), in action against enemy forces in the South West Pacific from 18 March 1944 to 30 November 1944.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Rear Admiral [then Captain]

    Division:

    U.S.S. South Dakota (BB-57)

    Action Date:

    March 18 – November 30, 1944
    Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 350 (May 1946)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Rear Admiral [then Captain] Ralph Smith Riggs, United States Navy, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. SOUTH DAKOTA (BB-57), from 18 March 1944 to 30 November 1944.

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Captain

    Division:

    Destroyer Squadron

    Action Date:

    March 26, 1943
    Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 319 (October 1943)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Captain Ralph Smith Riggs, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commander of a Destroyer Squadron during the action against enemy naval forces off the Komandorski Islands on 26 March 1943. Captain Riggs, with brilliant leadership, engaged in a fierce running battle for three and one-half hours. His bold attack against a Japanese force, twice the strength of his own, was a deciding factor in thwarting the enemy’s attempt to deliver urgently needed supplies to troops in the Aleutian Islands. Captain Riggs’ conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Navy of the United States.