Killed in Action on 8 May 1942 while onboard the USS Aircraft Carrier Yorktown during the Battle of the Coral Sea. Died of mortal wounds received when a Japanese shell exploded in the area of his detachment.
Buried at Sea with full honors.
Memorialized on the “Tablets of the Missing” located in the American Military Cemetery in Manila, Philippines.
Milton Ernest Ricketts was born 5 Aug 1913 in Baltimore, MD to Lawrence and Anna (Davis) Ricketts. He graduated from Baltimore City College high school, earned an appointment to the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD and graduated in 1935, earning a commission as an Ensign in the regular Navy. Initially assigned to the legacy class USS Ranger, the only carrier of the “Ranger” class of carriers. He would be reassigned to the USS Yorktown in early 1937, and subsequently promoted to Lt. in late 1938.
Earning the sobriquet, “Ricky” or “Rick” while at the academy, Milton would find great satisfaction and joy in playing lacrosse, Generous to a fault, he would never hesitate to help anyone in need, especially when it came to the new plebes.
On 8 May 1942, the USS Yorktown was involved in the first direct carrier-vs-carrier battle of in the Pacific theater of the war; the Americans attacked just before 11 am, with the Japanese reciprocating about 20 minutes later. The Japanese attack force contained 18 torpedo-bombers, 33 bombers and 18 fighters, unfortunately, there were not enough American fighters available to meet and repel the attack. At about 11:20 am, the carriers Yorktown and Lexington came under attack. The Yorktown managed to avoid all of the torpedo’s launched at it but suffered a devastating hit from one of the Japanese bombers. The bomb 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. Knowing that he was likely dying from his wounds, Lt. Ricketts managed to open the valve of a nearby fireplug, began to roll out the fire hose and directed at the fire before dying. Lt. Milton E. Ricketts no doubt saved the lives of hundreds of Navy personnel and the USS Yorktown itself on that fateful day as result of his heroic actions in the face of a death he knew was just moments away. Lt. Ricketts was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his gallantry in battle along with the Purple Heart.
Medal of Honor Citation
The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Milton Ernest Ricketts (NSN: 0-75002), United States Navy, 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 Lieutenant Ricketts’ battle station was located, killing, wounding or stunning all of his men and mortally wounding him. Despite his ebbing strength, Lieutenant 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.
The USS Ricketts (DE-254), an Edsall Class Destroyer Escort was named in his honor.
With the permission of Lt. Ricketts son, the foundation was able to procure a government issued memorial marker for placement in our Medal of Honor Plot at Green Mount Cemetery in April 2022.
You are Not Forgotten
