Carson Luther Ricks was born around 1921 in Alabama. He was the son of Isaac Walter Ricks and Maggie Louella Shelton.
He resided at Barry County in Michigan at the time of his enlistment on 21 September 1942.
Pvt Ricks was lost in the sinking of the SS Dorchester.
Memorialized at the East Coast Memorial, New York, NY
Feb. 1943, about 100 miles from Narsarssuak Greenland on a cold, moonless, starless night… At 00:55 a torpedo hit Dorchester’s starboard side, just forward of her beam. The power and lights went out immediately. The Dorchester, listing to starboard, was able to get out six blasts on the fog horn, and had started another six blasts, when the steam ran out. Many of the troops, ordered to sleep with their lifebelts on, didn’t do so because of the heat trapped within the ship’s hull from her boilers. They came up to the deck to find stark contrast.
According to survivor accounts, commanding officer Captain Preston S. Krecker assisted his men in abandoning ship, and went down with the ship in so doing.
The Lansing State Journal, 30 April 1943
Pvt. Carson Ricks, who for several years made his home with Mr. and Mrs. John Dull, has been listed as dead by the war department, according to an official notice received in Chicago by his brother. Private Ricks was previously reported missing, and Mrs. Dull said they received letters from him bearing dates that failed to conform with the official report. Because of the latter fact Mrs. Dull expressed belief there is still hope for his safety.
- Rank: Private
- Date of birth: 20 October 1921
- Date of death: 3 February 1943
- County: Meigs
- Service Branch: Army/Army Air Forces
- Division/Assignment: SS Dorchester
- Conflict: World War II
- Awards: Purple Heart, American Campaign Medal, European, African Campaign Medal
- Burial/Memorial Location: East Coast Memorial, New York, New York
- Location In Memorial: Pillar XVI, Top Panel
- Contact us to sponsor Carson L. Ricks
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