On May 23, 1920 Tangborn was born in Schleswig, Iowa. His parents were Vaner Tangborn and Jennie Oase. On March 30, 1942 he was drafted into the American army and served under the command of Mr. Lin Arison within the band of the 90th Infantry Division. All band members were placed into six different groups (all referring to medical service) but deployed within different units and, without being adequately prepared, Tangborn was assigned as a litter-bearer to a company of the 359th Regiment of the 90th Division. On June 14, 1944 he was killed in the vicinity of Amfreville, while trying to rescue the driver of a burning ammo truck.