Serving as a sailor in the U.S. Navy, Lieutenant Milton Ernest Ricketts was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for his actions on May 8, 1942 in Coral Sea during World War II. At the time he was serving with U.S.S. Yorktown. Ricketts was 28 years old.
Ricketts was killed in the action for which his medal was awarded.
Ricketts was born on August 5, 1913 in Baltimore, Baltimore County, Maryland. His Medal of Honor is credited to Maryland. He is buried at A.B.M.C. Manila Cemetery in Manila, Philippines.
Ricketts is one of 474 Medal of Honor recipients from World War II and one of 85 credited to Maryland.
Official Medal of Honor citation
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 bombing 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 firehose, 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.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Wounds and death in action
- Killed in action during the act for which the medal was awarded (May 8, 1942).
- Age at death: 28
- Resting place: A.B.M.C. Manila Cemetery
Other decorations and honors
Besides the Medal of Honor, Milton Ernest Ricketts received:
Source: Wikidata. Gold chips link to our guide to that decoration.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: World War II.
Life beyond the battlefield
- Education: United States Naval Academy, Baltimore City College
Source: Wikidata.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Maryland →
Timeline
- August 5, 1913Born in Baltimore, Baltimore County, Maryland
- May 8, 1942Act of valor — Coral SeaAge 28. U.S.S. Yorktown Killed in action.
- Resting placeA.B.M.C. Manila CemeteryManila
Biography
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. 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.
From the Wikipedia article “Milton Ernest Ricketts”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
Named in his honor
- USS Ricketts — destroyer escort
