Claude V Ricketts (DDG 5) - Naval Cruise Book

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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 HV . After instruction at various staff and war colleges he reported in June 1949 as Commanding Officer of USS ALSHAIN QAKA-555. In July 1952 he became Head, Amphibious Warfare Branch, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations. After Commanding the USS SAINT PAUL QCA-735 and serving as Commander De- stroyer Flotilla Four, he became director of Strategic Plans, Office of the 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-55 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. 4

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CDR Joseph D. Gorman United States Navy Commander Joseph D. Gorman was born 25 March 1943 in Portsmouth, Vir- ginia. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree from the United States Naval Academy and was commissioned as an Ensign on 7 June 1967. Following graduation, Commander Gorman was assigned as Damage Control Assistant, USS HARWOOD QDD-8615 where he completed a Mediterranean and a Western Pacific deployment. From November 1969 to November 1970 Commander Gorman served in the Republic of Vietnam, first as Chief Staff Officer, Strike Assault Boat Squadron 20, then as Commander, Strike Assault Boat Division 201, Commander Central Barrier Reef, and Commander Tran Hung Dao Eight Strike Assault Group. In January 1971, Commander Gorman reported for duty under instruction at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. He earned his Master of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering in June 1973. His thesis examined the per- formance of the anti-air mode of the MK-86 Gunfire Control System. Following graduation Commander Gorman was assigned to duty under instruction at the Na- val Destroyer School in Newport, Rhode Island. In June 1974, Commander Gorman reported to USS PREBLE QDDG-465 as Engineer Officer. While assigned to PREBLE he participated in a Western Pacific deployment and was selected for the Naval Nuclear Power Program. Upon comple- tion of his Department Head tour he was assigned to the Naval Nuclear Power School in Mare Island, California and then to the A1W Prototype at the Nuclear Power Training Unit in Idaho Falls, Idaho. In October 1977 Commander Gorman was assigned as Reactor Control Assis- tant, USS NIMITZ QCVN-685 where he completed a Mediterranean and an Indian Ocean deployment. From March 1980 to March 1982 Commander Gorman was assigned tothe Staff of the Commander-in-Chief U.S. Atlantic Fleet as a member of the Nuclear Propulsion Examining Board. In August 1982 Commander Gorman reported to USS ENTERPRISE QCVN- 655 as Reactor Officer, where he served until December 1985 making two Western Pacificflndian Ocean deployments. ' In April 1986 Commander Gorman was assigned as Commanding Officer of USS CLAUDE V. RICKETTS QDDG-55. P