Claude V Ricketts (DDG 5) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 11 text:

COMMANDI G OFFICER COMMANDER THOMAS RUSSEL SHERIDAN UNITED STATES NAVY Commander Sheridan graduated fromtthe United States Naval academy in june 1963. Upon commissioning he reported to USS HENDERSON fDD-7851 as Main Propulsion Assistant, then Engineering Officer. In April 1965 he reported to Coastal Squadron One as Officer-in-Charge of a swift boat, patrolling the coast of South Vietnam. After receiving a Master of Science degree in Systems Analysis from the Naval Post Graduate School, and attending Department Head Course in Newport, Commander Sheridan reported to the USS CHARLES F. ADAMS QDDG-21 in july 1970 for duty as Operations Officer. Upon relief, he attended Nuclear Propulsion Training and then reported to the NIMITZ Precommissioning Unit in Newport News, Virginia, as Prospective Main Propulsion Assistant. When the Senior Officer Ship's Material Readiness Course was established in Idaho Falls, Idaho, to provide additional technical engineering training to Prospective Engineer and Commanding Officers, Commander Sheridan was sent in as an instructor, where he stayed until February 1980. Commander Sheridan is married to the former Jacky Horseman of Arlington, Virginia, and they have a daughter, Shelly.

Page 10 text:

THE MAN - CLAUDE V. RICKETTS Claude Vernon Ricketts was born in Missouri on February 23, 1906, and was graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1929. For duty in World War Two he received a letter of Commendation with Ribbon and the Legion of Merit with Combat V , After instruction at various staff and war colleges he reported in june 1949 as Commanding Officer of USS ALSHAIN QAKA-55j. In july 1952 he became Head, Amphibious Warfare Branch, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations. After Commanding the USS SAINT PAUL QCA-731 and serving as Commander Destroyer Flotilla Four, he became director of Strategic Plans, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations. On February 1, 1961, he became Commander, Second Fleet, and on September 25 of the same year, he assumed, his last duty in the U.S. Navy as Vice Chief of Naval Operations. While serving as Vice CNO he devoted his enormous energy and talents to many projects of importance to the U.S. Navy and the NATO alliance. On july 6, 1964, Admiral Ricketts died of a heart attack. On july 28, 1964, USS BIDDLE was renamed and recommissioned USS CLAUDE V. RICKETTS QDDG-51 in memory of the former Vice Chief of Naval Operations. At the name-changing ceremony, the Honorable Paul H. Nitze, Secretary of the Navy, spoke of the appropriateness of renaming the ship in honor of Admiral Ricketts because of the great contributions and efforts the Admiral had given to the concept of mixed-manning and the Multilateral Force.

Page 12 text:

EXECUTIVE CJFFICERS CDR PAUL H DONALDSON LCDR FRANK 1 MCCAFFERY M an 92 2