Korean War
| Service # | 507838 |
|---|---|
| Rank | Ensign U.S. Navy |
| Date of Death | January 6 1952 |
Air Medal
Combat Action Ribbon (Navy)
Korean Service Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Purple Heart
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
Republic of Korea War Service Medal
United Nations Service Medal
For his leadership and valor, Ensign Rickelton was awarded the Air Medal with Gold Star, the Commendation Ribbon, the Purple Heart, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.\r\nPhotograph from New Mexico State University Archives.
Notes
Ensign Rickelton was the pilot of a F9F-2 Panther Jet fighter with Fighter Squadron 51 aboard the aircraft carrier USS ESSEX (CV-9). On January 6, 1952, he was flying his 50th mission, a strafing run, when his aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire, crashed and exploded about seven miles north of Kowan, Korea.