[2] His first professional job in journalism was as reporter for the Rock County Star in Luverne, Minnesota immediately out of high school.

[2] During World War II, Wiggins served in Army Air Corps intelligence.

In 1954, Wiggins received the Elijah Parish Lovejoy Award as well as an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Colby College.

He served as executive editor until President Lyndon B. Johnson appointed him U.S. ambassador to the United Nations in 1968.

Wiggins was married to his high school sweetheart, Mabel Preston, and their marriage lasted 67 years until her death in 1990.