USS Ricketts (DE-254), a destroyer escort, was laid down 16 March 1943 by Brown Shipbuilding Co., Houston, Tex.; launched 10 May 1943; sponsored by Mrs. Milton E. Ricketts widow of Lieutenant Ricketts; and commissioned 5 October 1943 at Houston, Lt. Comdr. Glenn L. Rollins, USCG, in command.
Ricketts sailed from New York 22 February 1944 on the first of 12 escort voyages to Northern Europe and back. She saw a burst of flame in the convoy at 2035 on the stormy night of 25 February. Two merchant tankers, El Coston and Murfreesboro had collided, and both ships were badly damaged and burning. Ricketts snatched 33 survivors from the sea, which was covered with blazing gasoline. Her commanding officer was awarded the Bronze Star for his part in this daring rescue, and two other officers and six enlisted men received the Navy and Marine Corps Medal.
The USS Ricketts doesn't really have anything to do with Ricketts, Iowa- but the rest of this website does! If you grew up in Ricketts, be sure to plan on coming to our annual reunion, the third Saturday in July. If you have memories or pictures of Ricketts to share, email them to our webmaster: ted.mallory -at- gmail.com
If you have other funny, kitsch, or corny "Not the same Ricketts" ideas, send them too. Help put Ricketts on the map!
PS- You can read more about the USS Ricketts at the US Coast Guard's military history website.
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