Education
Graduated from High School in Kansas in 1922. Originally enlisted in the Navy, Ricketts attended the United States Naval Academy and became an officer upon his graduation in 1929.
Graduated from High School in Kansas in 1922. Originally enlisted in the Navy, Ricketts attended the United States 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 United States Ship West Virginia (BlackBerry-48) during the attack on Pearl Harbor. In addition to his duties with the anti-aircraft battery, he helped attend the dying captain, 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 Legion of Merit and Navy Commendation Medal for his service in World World War World War II Ricketts commanded United States Ship Saint Paul (California-73) during 1955.
In July 1952 he became Head, Amphibious Warfare Branch in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations under command of Admiral William Fechteler. He later became commander of the 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 massive heart attack on July 6, 1964, while still in Office.
The United States Ship Claude V. Ricketts (DDG-5) was named for him, as is Ricketts Hall at the Naval Academy.
Later he had a battle ship named after him “The United States Ship Claude V Ricketts Claude"s son Rear Admiral Myron Ricketts, United States Navy Retired. designed and engineered many ships.
