Stories of the Crew and their families (Under Construction)

"Becoming an American" 

Philip Riggio SM1, 2nd from right in photo.

These next three paragraphs are the words of Charles Riggio about his Uncle Philip (Filippo) Riggio SM1. An Uncle he adored, so much so the he named his son after him.

"This is the only Photo I have. My Mom gave me the photo many years ago and she marked it to show me who my uncle Phil is. His note on the back is very interesting. He was according to his records, assigned to the USS Texas during that time, (He was 22 at the time JN) I love his comment "those three other guys are Irishmen". Back then, I think they were always interested in the 'descent' ('Ancestery' JN) of their friends and acquaintances. Interesting how he called himself "Phil" not Filippo. Back then, people wanted to become Americans as soon as was possible. Phil was born in Brooklyn, New York on January 22, 1910 of Italian immigrants from Sicily. His aunt said he was the best looking of the 3 brothers and a lady's man.

My Dad often told the story that he tried to persuade Phil to leave the Navy because he felt we were getting closer into a war. Phil said not to worry. He enlisted on July 1, 1929 and his last re-enlistment was September 22, 1939. He was making a career out of the Navy. However, he did not believe that war was coming.

He was transferred to the Edsall on 9/16/41 from the USS Henderson, and to that ship from the USS Jarvis. Before that he was aboard the USS Texas for many years."

The Fairbanks clan had among brothers, uncles and cousins five members who were lost in this war, three in the Pacific and two in Europe.  There were some survivors also.

Coxswain Burgoyne, was from a long line of Firefighters in the Buffalo area of New York.  When he was lost with the crew of the Edsall he left an infant son, Jack, in the Philippines.   Jack Burgoyne was raised by a catholic orphanage and became an ordained minister, and is married to Peggy Burgoyne.

Through our first website we were able to connect him to his family in New York.

On the Edsall Mr. Riggio SM1 was the senior signalman of the three aboard the ship at that time with the other two being SM3's. He was 32 when Edsall went down almost as old as my grandfather.

The Riggio family dedicated plaques at the USS Iowa museum/memorial in San Pedro CA. to the Edsall and the Asiatic Fleet.

Words on the back of the photo:

"Dec 11 1932

Those 3 other guys are irishmen

it didn't come out so bad

will send a good picture later on

as ever

your loving

brother

Philip"

First row fifth from left.

Norman Burch

Himmelman brothers

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