Memorial

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Pfc John Rigapoulos attended grammar school and worked at a construction company. He was born of Greek immigrant parents. They had 10 children. His last name misspelled by the government - should be spelled Rigopoulos- but he is to forever be remembered and known as Rigapoulos. He was also a pathfinder.

He volunteered, originaly for the Air Corps of the Army of the United States, in Springfield, Massachusetts on 28 October 1942.

He participated in the Waal Crossing near the railroad bridge at Lent and was killed near the bridge.

His niece, Catherine Metropoulos, sent us the folowing story:
"A photo of him killed there was given to me by Frank Van Luteren. Bill Hannigan had told me once that he stayed with John until he died -a bleeder- for about 45 minutes. I had asked him if John said anything to him, how much pain he was in, etc... and Hannigan responded by slowly turning away, looked out into nowhere and slowly said to me: "He was a very brave soldier." Mrs. Metropoulos asked us to publish this picture.

On the family picture, he is standing left behind of his little sisters.