Charles Clayton Rigdon was born on September 27, 1919, in Wyalusing, Grant County, Wisconsin. He was the son of George Alcorn Rigdon and Florence Nina Burgess Rigdon Horsfall. He was married to Alberta Mae Vaughn Burroughs Rigdon. He served in the 561st Bomber Squadron, 388th Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Staff Sergeant and Top Turret Gunner of B-17G #42-37867 nicknamed 'Berlin Ambassador' during World War II.

On January 11, 1944, the B-17 Flying Fortress Berlin Ambassador, assigned to the 561st Bomb Squadron, 388th Bomb Group, departed England as part of an Eighth Air Force mission targeting the heavily defended industrial city of Braunschweig, Germany. As the formation entered enemy airspace, it came under intense attack from German fighters, and the Berlin Ambassador sustained severe damage that compromised its structure and critical systems. Unable to maintain formation and struggling to stay aloft, the crippled bomber attempted to withdraw, but the damage proved fatal. While crossing the Netherlands near Berkum, close to Zwolle, the aircraft became uncontrollable, forcing the crew to bail out as it descended. Moments later, the B-17 crashed near Berkum, bringing its final mission to an end. Of the ten-man crew, four were killed in the crash, five were captured and became prisoners of war, and one evaded capture temporarily before later being captured.

SSgt Rigdon survived the crash and was later captured, becoming a prisoner of war at Stalag Luft 3 Sagan-Silesia Bavaria. He died on April 18, 2002, and is now buried in the Eastlawn Cemetery, Beloit, Rock County, Wisconsin, USA.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, www.verliesregister.studiegroepluchtoorlog.nl
Source of photo: www.teunispats.nl