Merlin W. Riggs was born on March 6, 1920, in Three Rivers, St. Joseph County, Michigan. He was the son of Elbert William Riggs and Agnes L. Wilson Riggs.

Merlin resided in Saint Joseph's County, Michigan, prior to the war. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps on November 7, 1941, before the war, in Detroit, Michigan. He was noted, at the time of his enlistment, as being employed as a Machinist and also as Single, without dependents.

Merlin served as a Staff Sergeant and Photographer on the B-24 #44-49432, 319th Bomber Squadron, 90th Bomber Group, during World War II. B-24 #44-49432 took off on February 18, 1945, with a crew of 12, from Mindoro, Philippines, on a bombing mission over Takao, Formosa (Taiwan). Over their target, they were hit by ground anti-aircraft fire and were seen to crash near their target. There were four parachutes seen leaving B-24 #44-49432.

Merlin, being one of the four parachutes seen, became a POW of the Japanese and was held at the Taipei Prison, Taipei City, Taiwan. While a POW in Taipei, a mock trial was held. Merlin, along with 13 other American servicemen, were accused of being "war criminals" by the Japanese Army, sentenced to death, and executed. They were cremated and their ashes placed in a local Japanese Shinto temple. At the end of the war, the remains were turned over to the Allies for burial.

SSgt Riggs was interred at the Riverside Cemetery, Three Rivers, St. Joseph County, Michigan, USA.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com
Source of photo: www.powtaiwan.org