Owings Mills in Baltimore County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Lieutenant Milton Ernest Ricketts Memorial

World War II Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient

Photographed By Don Morfe, July 17, 2008

1. Lieutenant Milton Ernest Ricketts Memorial Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

In Memory of Lieutenant Milton Ernest Ricketts, United States Navy, August 7, 1913-May 8, 1942. Lieutenant Ricketts of Baltimore County was killed in action during World War II, aboard the Aircraft Carrier USS Yorktown (CV 5), in the battle of the Coral Sea on May 8, 1942. He was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor by President Franklin D. Roosevelt for service above and beyond the call of duty. A destroyer-escort vessel, the USS Ricketts (DE 254), was commissioned in his honor on October 5, 1943.

Erected 1994 by The Destroyer-Escort Sailors Association of Maryland, Inc.

Topics and series. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Heroes • War, World II • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #32 Franklin D. Roosevelt, and the Medal of Honor Recipients series lists.

Location. 39° 26.412′ N, 76° 45.996′ W. Marker is in Owings Mills, Maryland, in Baltimore County. Memorial is on Garrison Forest Road. Lt. Milton E. Ricketts

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marker is in the Garrison Forest Veterans Cemetery near the main entrance. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Owings Mills MD 21117, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Maryland State Veterans Cemetery (here, next to this marker); Veterans Memorial at Maryland State Veterans Cemetery-Garrison Forest (a few steps from this marker); VFW War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); World War I Memorial (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Jewish Armed Forces Memorial (approx. 0.6 miles away); Hodgepodge Lodge for a New Generation (approx. 0.6 miles away); Gwynnbrook State Farm No. 1 (approx. 0.8 miles away); In Memory of William Maxwell Wood, MD (approx. 1.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Owings Mills.

Regarding Lieutenant Milton Ernest Ricketts Memorial. Lt. Milton E. Ricketts name is inscribed on the "Wall of the Missing", ABMC Manila Cemetery. MEDAL OF HONOR CITATION: 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

Photographed By Don Morfe, July 17, 2008

2. Lieutenant Milton Ernest Ricketts Memorial Marker

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.

Also see . . . USS Ricketts (DE-254). (Submitted on March 18, 2014, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland.)

Lt. Milton Ernest Ricketts, U.S.Navy image. Click for full size.

1941

3. Lt. Milton Ernest Ricketts, U.S.Navy

- Medal of Honor recipient for heroism aboard USS Yorktown (CV-5) during the WW II Battle of the Coral Sea, May 7, 1942).

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on January 26, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 792 times since then and 26 times this year. Last updated on March 18, 2014, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 26, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. 3. submitted on March 17, 2014, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.