Claude Vernon Ricketts (February 23, 1906 – July 6, 1964) was a four-star admiral in the

United States Navy The United States Navy (USN) is the maritime service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. It is the largest and most powerful navy in the world, with the estimated tonnage ...

, who served as the

Vice Chief of Naval Operations The vice chief of naval operations (VCNO) is the second highest-ranking commissioned United States Navy officer in the Department of the Navy and functions as the principal deputy of the chief of naval operations and by statute, the vice chief ...

from 1961 to 1964.

Biography

Ricketts graduated from high school in Kansas in 1922. He enlisted in the Navy, attended the

United States Naval Academy The United States Naval Academy (US Naval Academy, USNA, or Navy) is a federal service academy in Annapolis, Maryland. It was established on 10 October 1845 during the tenure of George Bancroft as Secretary of the Navy. The 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 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. He was awarded with the Legion of Merit and the Commendation Medal, Navy Commendation Medal for his service in World War II. Ricketts commanded 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 United States Second Fleet, 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 in his honor, as was Ricketts Hall ''See also'': United States Naval Academy#Halls and principal buildings. 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:

References

1906 births 1964 deaths Military personnel from Missouri United States Naval Academy alumni United States Navy admirals Vice Chiefs of Naval Operations United States Navy personnel of World War II Recipients of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal Recipients of the Legion of Merit Attack on Pearl Harbor Burials at Arlington National Cemetery {{USN-bio-stub