Medal of Honor: Milton Ernest Ricketts – World War II – May 8, 1942

Name: Milton Ernest Ricketts
Rank: Lieutenant
Branch: U.S. Navy
War: World War II
Ship: USS Yorktown (CV-5)
Date of Action: May 8, 1942
Location: Battle of the Coral Sea

Summary of Action

On 8 May 1942, during the Battle of the Coral Sea, Lieutenant Milton Ernest Ricketts distinguished himself aboard the USS Yorktown during a fierce Japanese air attack.

As enemy aircraft struck the carrier with bombs, one bomb penetrated deep into the ship and exploded directly beneath the compartment where Ricketts and his engineering repair party were stationed.

The blast was catastrophic.

Men were killed instantly.

Others were wounded or stunned by the explosion.

Ricketts himself suffered mortal wounds.

But even in those final moments, he understood the greater danger facing the ship.

Fire.

If the flames spread unchecked through the damaged compartment, the results could destroy the carrier and kill countless sailors aboard.

Despite his terrible injuries and failing strength, Ricketts forced himself into action.

He reached a nearby fireplug valve, opened it, partially deployed a fire hose, and directed a stream of water into the growing blaze.

Only after ensuring the firefighting effort had begun did he collapse beside the hose.

He died moments later.

His actions helped prevent the fire from spreading into a far more disastrous catastrophe and embodied the highest traditions of courage, sacrifice, and devotion to duty in the United States Navy.

Medal of Honor Citation

RICKETTS, MILTON ERNEST

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.