Claude V. Ricketts

Claude Vernon Ricketts (February 23, 1906 – July 6, 1964) was a four-star admiral in the United States Navy, who served as the Vice Chief of Naval Operations from 1961 to 1964.

Claude Vernon Ricketts
Born	(1906-02-23)February 23, 1906 Missouri
Died	July 6, 1964(1964-07-06) (aged 58)
Allegiance	United States
Service/branch	United States Navy
Years of service	1929–1964
Rank	Admiral
Commands held	Vice Chief of Naval Operations
Battles/wars	World War II Attack on Pearl Harbor Cold War
Awards	Distinguished Service Medal Legion of Merit Navy Commendation Medal
Relations	RAdm Myron Ricketts (son)

Biography

Ricketts graduated from high school in Kansas in 1922. He enlisted in the Navy, attended the United States Naval Academy, and became an officer upon his graduation in 1929. He was captain of the boxing team for two years at Annapolis. As a lieutenant, he was the gunnery officer on board the USS West Virginia (BB-48) during the attack on Pearl Harbor. In addition to his duties with the anti-aircraft battery, he helped attend dying captain Mervyn Bennion, with the aid of Doris Miller; assisted in counter-flooding the ship after it heeled over from six torpedoes and two bombs; and assisted in fire fighting.[1][2] He was awarded with the Legion of Merit and the Navy Commendation Medal for his service in World War II.

Ricketts commanded USS Saint Paul (CA-73) during 1955. In July 1952 he became head of the Amphibious Warfare Branch in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations under command of Admiral William Fechteler. He later became commander of the Second Fleet and then assumed duties as the Vice Chief of Naval Operations in September 1961. He succeeded admiral James Sargent Russell in this capacity.

Admiral Claude Vernon Ricketts died of a massive heart attack on July 6, 1964, while still in office. He was posthumously awarded the Navy Distinguished Service Medal for his service as Vice Chief of Naval Operations. After his death, the destroyer USS Biddle was renamed USS Claude V. Ricketts (DDG-5) in his honor, as was Ricketts Hall[3] at the Naval Academy.

Claude's son Rear Admiral Myron Ricketts, USN Ret., designed and engineered many ships.

Decorations

Here is the ribbon bar of Admiral Claude V. Ricketts:

Naval Aviator Badge
1st Row	Navy Distinguished Service Medal			Legion of Merit with "V" Device			Navy Commendation Medal with "V" Device
2nd Row	American Defense Service Medal with Fleet Clasp			American Campaign Medal			Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with seven Service stars
3rd Row	World War II Victory Medal			Navy Occupation Service Medal			National Defense Service Medal with one service star

See also

Military offices
Preceded by James S. Russell	Vice Chief of Naval Operations 1961–1964	Succeeded by Horacio Rivero, Jr.

References

1. Pearl Harbor Battle Report http://www.usswestvirginia.org/ricketts_statement.htm
2. Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships history quoted at http://www.usswestvirginia.org/uss_west_virginia_history.htm
3. Kiland, Taylor Baldwin; Howren, Jamie (2007). A Walk in the Yard: A Self-guided Tour of the U.S. Naval Academy. Naval Institute Press. Retrieved 2011-06-15. See also: United States Naval Academy#Halls and principal buildings.