US Navy LT Milton Ricketts: Medal of Honor Recipient WWII

Milton Ernest Ricketts was born on August 5, 1913, in Baltimore, Maryland. After graduating from high school, he attended the U.S. Naval Academy, graduating in 1935.

He first served aboard USS Ranger (CV-4) and later USS Yorktown (CV-5). On May 8, 1942, now a lieutenant, Ricketts was serving as officer in charge of the Engineering Repair Party aboard Yorktown during the Battle of the Coral Sea.

As Japanese aircraft launched a massive attack, a bomb tore through the carrier and exploded directly beneath his battle station.

The blast killed, wounded, or stunned nearly all of his men, and Ricketts himself was mortally wounded.

But he remained conscious.

Despite his fading strength, he forced himself to his feet, opened a nearby fireplug valve, pulled out a hose, and directed a heavy stream of water onto the growing fire.

Moments later, he collapsed and died beside the hose.

His final act helped save the ship and the lives of countless sailors aboard Yorktown.

For his extraordinary heroism, Lieutenant Milton Ernest Ricketts was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

You can watch a short video about his story here: https://youtube.com/shorts/wVZvTYpK-uY

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.