Earl J. Riggs was born on February 17, 1924 in Maryland. He resided in Baltimore, Maryland prior to the war. He enlisted in the Army on February 23, 1943 in Baltimore, Maryland. He was noted as being employed as a Electrician and also as Single, with dependents. Earl served in the 711th Bomber Squadron, 447th Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Technical Sergeant and Top Turret Gunner/Engineer on the B-17 #43-38245, Leach's crew, during World War II.

On the morning of 2nd October 1944 the 447th U.S.A.A.F. Bomb Group (who were stationed at nearby Rattlesden Airfield) incurred a tragic loss following a mid-air accident in the skies over Kettlebaston, England. Whilst climbing into the sun and broken cloud to join formation, the B17G 'Flying Fortress' of Captain Leach (711th Squadron, aircraft no.43-38245) ascended into the similar bomber of Lt. Wilder (of 710th Squadron, no.44-6460). Leach's propeller cut into Wilders fuselage severing the tail, causing both the heavily laden planes to plummet to the ground. Leach's plane crashed at Wetherden Hall in Hitcham with the loss of all crew, and most of Wilders, at Treacles Farm in Kettlebaston.

There was however one very fortunate survivor. The navigator from Wilders plane (2nd Lt. Eliot Mishler) somehow managed to parachute to safety from the stricken aircraft. He not only survived the crash but also the war.

TSGT Riggs is now buried in the Baltimore National Cemetery, Baltimore, Baltimore City, Maryland, USA.

The crew lost on 43-38245:
Capt Clifford T Leach - Pilot
2nd Lt David W Bowen - Co Pilot
1st Lt Donald B. Rubin - Navigator
1st Lt William L Rogers - Bombardier
T/Sgt Earl J Riggs - Top Turret Gunner/Engineer
S/Sgt Clyde R Klee - Radio Operator/Waist Gunner
Sgt William A Haines - Ball Turret Gunner
Sgt John K Henry - Waist Gunner
S/Sgt Carl S Reitzel Jr - Tail Gunner

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, http://www.kettlebaston.com