Mississippi Loses One of Their Finest Sons: Staff Sgt. William S. Ricketts

Some stories you take no pleasure in telling but yet they must be told. Such is the story of Staff Sergeant William Seth Ricketts, 27, of Glen, a tiny town near Corinth, MS who died Saturday, February 27, at Bala Murghab, Afghanistan of injuries resulting from an insurgent small arms attack against his unit who had been on patrol in Badghis Province. This young soldier who had a wife and small children paid the ultimate price while fighting for our country. He is due our respect and gratitude.

Staff Sergeant Ricketts was in his fifth tour of duty and was assigned to Company B, 1^st Battalion, 508^th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82^nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. 1^st Lt. Christopher Kirchner, the platoon leader, says of Rickets, "Staff Sgt. William Seth Ricketts was a man with great values, dedication, and love like no other for his family and country. This was his fifth tour of duty while serving in 'Battle Company' (B Company) in support of the War on Terror, and it showed as a soldier, a leader and a friend. I feel honored and privileged to have served with this true warrior. Battle Company will continue to honor his memory on and off the battlefield. You will be truly missed, brother, and we love you."

Staff Sergeant Ricketts had previously served two tours in Iraq and was in his third tour in Afghanistan. He was a highly awarded and decorated soldier. His awards included the Army Commendation Medal with two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Achievement Medal with a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, The National Defense Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two Campaign Stars, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Iraqi Campaign Medal with three Campaign Stars, the Global War on Terrorism Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the NATO Medal, and the Parachutist Badge with Combat Star.

He was a native of Alcorn County, Mississippi and a 2000 graduate of Alcorn Central High School where he played in the band. His father, Bill Ricketts stated, "...that was the year they won every competition they went to." Rickett's father added that he enjoyed hunting and camping and being in nature. At the age of fifteen, he told his mother, Sandi Ricketts, he wanted to become a soldier with "every fiber of his being." Staff Sergeant Ricketts joined the military the day after the 911 attacks. He told his family he was setting out to do things he had never done. His parents say he was a born warrior and his first picture showed his fists in the air. Rickett's father reporting him saying of his deployment, "We're goin' in and we're goin' in to do the right thing."

Staff Sergeant Ricketts leaves behind his wife, Suzanna "Rosie" Jones Ricketts, two sons, Aiden, 3, and Cullen, 10 months and a third child is due this summer. Rickett's father stated, "The thing he loved most was being with his wife and children." He was home for the birth of his first two children but was deployed soon afterward. This time, he was looking forward to being home during the first part of his child's life.

A memorial fund has been set up for his children. You can make deposits to the "Seth Ricketts Memorial Fund" at C,B, & S Bank at 200 South Harper Road in Corinth, MS 38834.

The Associated Press reports at least 72 soldiers with Mississippi ties have died in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. The Mississippi House of Representatives adjourned from daily activities Monday in Staff Sergeant Rickett's honor.

Please take a moment to watch the way the small town of Corinth, MS paid tribute to one of their finest, Staff Sergeant William Seth Rickets. SSGT Ricketts

Sources:

http://www.wtva.com/news/local/story/Local-soldier-killed-in-Afghanistan/l9fQWHcqK0SC0Q_anNEGIg.cspx

http://dailycorinthian.com/pages/full_story/push?article-Local+soldier+dies+in+Afghanistan+&id=6500842&instance=news_main

http://www.wtva.com/news/local/story/Funeral-arrangements-for-Seth-Ricketts/fV6heMCZ0ki6uP8R5XXDYw.cspx

http://www.wreg.com/news/wreg-ricketts-dead2,0,3031729.story

http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20100301/NEWS/100301020/Soldier-joins-Army-after-9-11-dies-in-Afghanistan

http://dailyme.com/story/2010030200000952/82nd-soldier-killed-patrol-afghanistan.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_yzntaMVn0