Vicksburg native Kayla Riggs honored on Veterans Day Wall of Honor

JACKSON, Miss. (VDN) — Vicksburg native Kayla Riggs has been recognized by the G.V. “Sonny” Montgomery VA Medical Center as one of eight veterans inducted into its 2025 Veterans Day Wall of Honor. The honor celebrates veterans who have demonstrated exceptional service, leadership, and commitment to both their nation and communities.

Riggs’ name and biography will be permanently displayed on the facility’s Wall of Honor, a tribute to her groundbreaking military career and continued dedication beyond her time in uniform.

A retired U.S. Army Specialist, Riggs made history as the first woman from Mississippi to graduate from the Army’s Infantry training program and serve in the 82nd Airborne Division. Her trailblazing role marked a milestone for women in combat roles and helped pave the way for future generations of female soldiers.

Riggs, a 2010 graduate of Vicksburg High School, earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the University of Mississippi in 2014. She began her career with the Mississippi Gaming Commission while pursuing a master’s degree in criminology and social science from Delta State University, which she completed in 2016.

That same year, Riggs enlisted in the U.S. Army as an infantry soldier, entering the first integrated class of female recruits. She completed her training at Fort Benning, Georgia, earning her Infantry Blue Cord and graduating in May 2017.

Her groundbreaking service earned national recognition — including an honor from the United States House of Representatives in 2017 — underscoring her role as a pioneer in Mississippi’s military history.

Other 2025 Wall of Honor inductees include Dr. Robert Henderson Smith Sr., Lt. Col. (Ret.) Dexter Marvell Brookins, Col. John J. Pitchford Jr., Sgt. 1st Class (Ret.) Jeffrey Adams, Sgt. Maj. Joe Albert Dettor, and Lt. Col. (Ret.) Lucius Wright.

Riggs’ inclusion on the Wall of Honor cements her place among Mississippi’s most distinguished veterans — a testament to her courage, leadership, and lifelong service.