The President of the United States
in the name of The Congress
takes pleasure in presenting the
Medal of Honor
to
*RICKETTS, MILTON ERNEST
Rank and Organization: Lieutenant, U.S. Navy. Born:
5 August 1913, Baltimore, Md. Appointed From: Maryland.
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
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.
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