The USS Oakland Memorial to COL. William R. Higgins, USMC

She is a very wonderful and loving person and created a website for her late husband. I visited her website and was very much moved by her fine and
dedicated work.. We became friends by e-mail and she invited me to the launching of the USS HIGGINS. All I can say Robin, my lovely red headed daughter of the Oakland ~SEMPER FI.~

Colonel William R. (Rich) Higgins, USMC, disappeared on February 17, 1988, while serving as the Chief, Observer Group Lebanon and Senior Military
Observer, United States Military Observer Group, United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (Palestine).

Born in Danville, Kentucky on January 15, 1945, Rich Higgins graduated from Southern High School in Louisville and earned his bachelor's degree from Miami University, Oxford, Ohio. A scholarship student in the Navy ROTC, he received
the Marine Corps Association Award and was commissioned in the Marine Corps
in 1967.

After being held captive by pro-Iranian terrorists in Lebanon, Col. Higgins was murdered. The exact date of death is uncertain; however, he was declared dead
on July 6, 1990. His remains were eventually recovered and interred at Quantico National Cemetery December 30, 1991.

Col. Higgins' military decorations include: the Defense Distinguished Service
Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (posthumous), Bronze Star with combat "V", Purple Heart (posthumous), Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal with bronze star and combat "V", Combat Action Ribbon, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with silver star, Staff Service Honor
Medal, United Nations Medal, and numerous unit commendations and campaign ribbons. On March 18, 1992, President George Bush awarded Col. Higgins the Presidential Citizens Medal (posthumous).

It is difficult enough to be a wife to an active duty serviceman. Being an active
duty service woman and married to a serviceman is not the ideal situation either. Being a widow of a serviceman that was murdered by terrorists is unbearable. Especially while he was serving in a United Nations Truce Supervision Organization. Robin, It has been a very hard and difficult 10 years for you. I must say that you have weathered the storm in an outstanding fashion like a Marine is trained to do.

I was very happy to have met you in Bath, Maine for the launching of the USS Higgins. I thank you for inviting me.

On Feburay 17, 1994, the Secretary of the Navy announced a new Arleigh Burke class guided missile destroyer would be named for Col. Higgins. This being the highest honor that is awarded by the United States Navy to Medal Of Honor Recipients, heros, and/or very important people.

On October 4, 1997, Robin Higgins broke the ceremonial champagne bottle over the bow of the new Navy destroyer -- the HIGGINS -- named for her late
husband. The USS HIGGINS (DDG76) is being completed at Bath Iron Works
and will be commissioned in April 1999.