Captain Benjamin H. Rigg was born on February 13, 1896, in Burlington, New Jersey. He attended Lehigh University where he graduated with a degree in Civil Engineering. Following graduation he was appointed as Deck Officer and on April 9, 1920, was commissioned as Ensign.

During his 32-year career, Captain Rigg served aboard the following ships: ONWARD, EXPLORER, PATHFINDER, FATHOMER, RANGER, and the OCEANOGRAPHER. His other assignments included being Officer in Charger - Chicago Office; Assistant Chief and Chief, Division of Charts; Chief, Aeronautical Chart Branch; Advisor on the U.S. Delegation to the 4th Session of the ICAO Maps and Charts Division; and at the time of his retirement (July 1, 1952,) as Officer in Charge - Fort Worth Office.

During World War II he was awarded both the Atlantic and Pacific War Zone Ribbons for working on projects for the Department of the Navy in areas determined by the Navy to be of immediate military hazard.

Captain Rigg's wife of 58 years, Helen, passed away at the same time. They are survived by one daughter and one son.

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NOAA CORPS BULLETIN, 4/1/1986