Claude V. Ricketts

Admiral Claude Vernon Ricketts (1906–July 6, 1964) served in the United States Navy as the Vice Chief of Naval Operations.

Originally enlisted in the Navy, Ricketts attended the United States Naval Academy and became an officer upon his graduation in 1929. As a lieutenant, he was the gunnery officer on board the USS West Virginia (BB-48) during the attack on Pearl Harbor. When West Virginia threatened to capsize after taking several torpedo hits, Ricketts led a successful effort to initiate counterflooding and stabilize the ship. His quick action is widely credited with preventing West Virginia from sharing the fate of USS Oklahoma.^[1]

Ricketts commanded USS Saint Paul (CA-73) during 1955. He later became Commander Second Fleet and then assumed duties as the Vice Chief of Naval Operations.

The USS Claude V. Ricketts (DDG-5) was named for him, as is Ricketts Hall^[2] at the Naval Academy.

Claude's son Rear Admiral Myron Ricketts, USN Ret. designed and engineered many ships. Myron is quoted in the New York Times August 11, 1987 issue on building ships with steel in lieu of aluminum, because of how easily aluminum cracks.^[3]

References

1. ^ Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships history quoted at http://www.usswestvirginia.org/uss_west_virginia_history.htm
2. ^ Kiland, Taylor Baldwin; Howren, Jamie (2007). "A Walk in the Yard: A Self-guided Tour of the U.S. Naval Academy". Naval Institute Press. http://books.google.com/books?id=fcOHjVRueZAC&lpg=PA113&ots=qMBBK9IyN3&dq=USNA%20%22Ricketts%20Hall%22%20%22named%20after%22%20-Bellino&pg=PA113#v=onepage&q&f=false. Retrieved 2011-06-15.  See also: United States Naval Academy#Halls and principal buildings.
3. ^ "NAVY REVERTING TO STEEL IN SHIPBUILDING AFTER CRACKS IN ALUMINUM". The New York Times. August 11, 1987. http://www.nytimes.com/1987/08/11/us/navy-reverting-to-steel-in-shipbuilding-after-cracks-in-aluminum.html. 

Persondata
Name	Ricketts, Claude
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Date of birth	1906
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Date of death	1964
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