Lieutenant General John M. Riggs, a native of Caruthersville, entered the army as an enlisted man in 1965 after graduating from Caruthersville High School in 1964, was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in 1969, graduated from Infantry Officers Candidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia, served a combat tour in Vietnam as a helicopter pilot, and went on to command at company, battalion, brigade, division, and army levels while serving in Vietnam, Germany, Korea, Belgium, and numerous assignments throughout the United States. By November 11, 2000, when he dedicated this memorial site to the honored veterans of all wars, he was serving as Commanding General, First United States Army, Fort Gillem, Georgia; his general officer service had included Assistant Division Commander 3rd Infantry Division in Germany, Deputy Commanding General United States Army Aviation School at Fort Rucker, Alabama, Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff Operations and Plans in Washington, DC, and Commanding General 7th Infantry Division at Fort Carson, Colorado.