Summary
Milton Ernest Ricketts (August 5, 1913 – May 8, 1942) was a United States Navy officer and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in World War II.
Milton Ernest Ricketts | |
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 Lieutenant Milton E. Ricketts | |
| Born | August 5, 1913 Baltimore, Maryland |
| Died | May 8, 1942 (aged 28) Coral Sea |
| Place of burial | |
| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Service/ | United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1935 - 1942 |
| Rank | Lieutenant |
| Unit | USS Ranger (CV-4) USS Yorktown (CV-5) |
| Battles/wars | World War II *Battle of the Coral Sea † |
| Awards | Medal of Honor Purple Heart |
Ricketts graduated from the Baltimore City College high school and then from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1935 and subsequently served on the USS Ranger (CV-4) and USS Yorktown (CV-5). On May 8, 1942, during the Battle of the Coral Sea, Lieutenant Ricketts was in charge of a damage control party on board the Yorktown. When a Japanese bomb exploded among his group, he successfully undertook fire-fighting measures despite having received mortal wounds. For this act, Ricketts was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.
Ricketts was buried at sea; his name appears on the Tablets of the Missing at Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in the Philippines.
Awards and honors edit
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| Medal of Honor | Purple Heart | American Defense Service Medal w/ Fleet Clasp (3⁄16" Bronze Star) |
| American Campaign Medal | Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal w/ two 3⁄16" Bronze Stars |
World War II Victory Medal |
Medal of Honor citation edit
Lieutenant Ricketts' official Medal of Honor citation reads:
For extraordinary and distinguished gallantry above and beyond the call of duty as Officer-in-Charge of the Engineering Repair Party of the U.S.S. Yorktown in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Battle of the Coral Sea on 8 May 1942. During the severe bombarding of the Yorktown by enemy Japanese forces, an aerial bomb passed through and exploded directly beneath the compartment in which Lt. Ricketts' battle station was located, killing, wounding or stunning all of his men and mortally wounding him. Despite his ebbing strength, Lt. Ricketts promptly opened the valve of a near-by fireplug, partially led out the fire hose and directed a heavy stream of water into the fire before dropping dead beside the hose. His courageous action, which undoubtedly prevented the rapid spread of fire to serious proportions, and his unflinching devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Namesake edit
The Edsall-class destroyer escort USS Ricketts (DE-254) was named in his honor.
See also edit
References edit
This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Army Center of Military History.
- This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the Naval History and Heritage Command.
- "Milton E. Ricketts". World War II Honor Roll. American Battle Monuments Commission. Retrieved 2007-04-06.
- "US People - Ricketts, Milton E." Online Library. Naval History & Heritage Command. 1999-05-04. Retrieved 2007-04-06.
- "World War II Medal of Honor recipients (M-Z)". Medal of Honor citations. United States Army Center of Military History. May 10, 2005. Retrieved 2007-04-06.
External links edit
- "Milton Ernest Ricketts". Claim to Fame: Medal of Honor recipients. Find a Grave. Retrieved 2008-07-31.