05/21/2026
A Remarkable Aviation Connection Hidden in Waterville, Washington
Many people pass through the Waterville Cemetery without realizing that one of aviation's great pioneers is buried there.
1st Lieutenant Earl L. Rigor, a United States Air Force navigator and resident of Waterville, was a member of the crew aboard the legendary Lucky Lady II, the aircraft that completed the first non-stop flight around the world in 1949.
From February 26 to March 2, 1949, the Lucky Lady II—a Boeing B-50 Superfortress—circumnavigated the globe without landing, remaining airborne for an astonishing 94 hours and 1 minute. Through the then-new technique of aerial refueling, the aircraft traveled approximately 23,452 miles, proving for the first time that a military aircraft could reach virtually any point on Earth without landing.
The historic 14-man crew included:
• Captain James G. Gallagher – Aircraft Commander
• Captain Glenn E. Hacker – Navigator
• 1st Lieutenant Earl L. Rigor – Navigator
• Eleven additional crew members whose teamwork made the mission possible
Long before GPS, satellite navigation, and modern avionics, navigators like Earl Rigor relied on celestial navigation, dead reckoning, radio beacons, and extraordinary skill to guide aircraft across oceans and continents. Their accuracy and professionalism were critical to the success of the mission.
The crew's achievement earned them the Distinguished Flying Cross and secured a permanent place in aviation history.
Today, Earl Rigor rests in Waterville Cemetery beneath a headstone bearing the inscription:
"First Navigator Around the World."
While historians often focus on the aircraft and its commander, it is worth remembering that one of the men responsible for navigating the first non-stop flight around the globe chose Central Washington as his home. Evidence suggests Earl Rigor lived in Waterville after his Air Force career and remained there until his passing in 1979.
For a small community like Waterville, having a direct connection to one of the greatest milestones in aviation history is truly remarkable. It serves as a reminder that extraordinary stories are often found in unexpected places—and sometimes right in our own backyard.
The next time you visit Waterville or fly into one of our local airports, take a moment to remember 1st Lieutenant Earl L. Rigor and the crew of the Lucky Lady II, whose pioneering flight helped shape the future of global aviation.
If anyone has photographs, newspaper clippings, personal stories, or additional information about Earl Rigor and his life in Central Washington, please share them in the comments. We'd love to learn more about this local aviation hero.
