Earl T. Ricks

{{Infobox military person

|name= Earl T. Ricks

|image= MG Earl F Ricks.jpg

|alt=

|caption= Ricks in uniform, {{circa}} 1944

|nickname= "Pappy Ricks"

|birth_date= {{birth date|1908|07|09}}

|birth_place= West Point, Mississippi, US

|death_date= {{Death date and age|1954|01|04|1908|07|09}}

|death_place= Walter Reed Hospital, Washington, D.C., US

|placeofburial=

|allegiance= United States

|branch= United States Air Force

|serviceyears= 1940–1954

|rank= Major General

|servicenumber=

|unit=

|commands= Air Force Division
Arkansas National Guard
Payne Field
36th Strategic Air Base

|battles= World War II

|awards= Legion of Merit
Air Medal
Army Commendation Medal

|relations=

|laterwork= Mayor of Hot Springs, Arkansas (1947–49)

}}

Earl T. Ricks (July 9, 1908 – January 4, 1954) was a senior officer of the United States Air National Guard who served as deputy chief of the National Guard Bureau, chief of the Air Force Division, National Guard Bureau (1950–1954), and acting chief of the National Guard Bureau. His four months as acting bureau chief made him the first Air National Guard officer to hold the position.

Early life and education

Earl Thornton Ricks was born in West Point, Mississippi, and reared in Stamps in Lafayette County in southwestern Arkansas. Attracted to flying from an early age, he graduated from Parks College of Engineering, Aviation and Technology in St. Louis, Missouri, purchased a biplane and became a pilot.Associated Press, Spokane Spokesman Press-Review, [https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=SBtWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=IeMDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5526,6066751&dq=earl-ricks&hl=en Earl Ricks Hops First to Yuma], August 26, 1935Judy Byrd Brittenum, Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture, [http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?entryID=3187 Biography, Earl Thornton Ricks (1908–1954)], 2009 In 1930 Ricks married Hazel Brown, daughter of a partner in Bodcaw Lumber, the largest lumber company in the world at the time. They had four children.Judy Byrd Brittenum, Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture, [http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?entryID=3187 Biography, Earl Thornton Ricks (1908–1954)], 2009 In 1935 he moved to Hot Springs and became partners with Raymond Clinton (brother of Bill Clinton's adoptive father Roger Clinton Sr.) in the Ricks-Clinton Buick car dealership.Michael Walsh, Boston Globe, [https://archive.today/20130630040616/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/boston/access/34544087.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Sep+25,+1998&author=Michael+Walsh&pub=Boston+Globe&desc=The+dealmaker+of+Hot+Springs,+Ark.&pqatl=google The Dealmaker of Hot Springs, Ark.], September 25, 1998

World War II

In March 1940, Ricks joined the Arkansas National Guard as a member of the 154th Observation Squadron, and soon received his commission as a second lieutenant.Charles J Gross, [https://books.google.com/books?id=DY3fAAAAMAAJ&q=%22earl+t.+ricks%22+154th+observation+squadron The Air National Guard and the American Military Tradition], 1995, page 57 In September he entered federal service as a member of the 17th Bombardment Group. In 1941 he was named commander of the 36th Strategic Air Base in Miami, Florida,Palm beach Post, [https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ZZQyAAAAIBAJ&sjid=07YFAAAAIBAJ&pg=4618,3976256&dq=earl-ricks&hl=en Air-WAC Recruiting Rally Set Tonight]{{Dead link|date=February 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, April 17, 1944 the departure point for soldiers deploying to North Africa. Ricks subsequently received appointment as Commander of Payne Airfield in Cairo, Egypt.National Guard Association of the United States, [https://books.google.com/books?id=r4_fAAAAMAAJ&q=%22earl+t.+ricks%22+17th+bomb+group Official Proceedings], Volumes 74–76, 1952, page 172

Promoted to colonel in April 1944, Ricks was assigned as deputy commander of the Southwest Pacific Wing, Air Transport Command, operating in Australia, New Guinea, and the Philippines.United States House of Representatives, [https://books.google.com/books?id=RlTpI2oiB_4C&q=%22earl+t.+ricks%22+southwest+pacific+wing Congressional Record], Volume 100, Part 2, 1954, page 1596 At the end of the Pacific campaign, Ricks piloted the Japanese delegation from Ie Shima to Manila to receive surrender terms from General of the Army Douglas MacArthur.Hartford Courant, [https://archive.today/20130630045735/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/courant/access/895387492.html?dids=895387492:895387492&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Aug+20,+1945&author=&pub=Hartford+Courant&desc=Plane+Trip+Enjoyed+By+Jap+Envoys&pqatl=google Plane Trip Enjoyed By Jap Envoys], August 20, 1945 Ricks served in the post-war occupation of Japan, and oversaw the landing of two occupation divisions at Atsugi airdrome in Yokohama.Judy Byrd Brittenum, Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture, [http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?entryID=3187 Biography, Earl Thornton Ricks (1908–1954)], 2009

Cold War

After the war, Ricks returned to his Hot Springs car dealership and started a charter flying service.Rachel Silva, [http://www.arkansaspreservation.com/pdf/tour_scripts/Fordyce-Ricks_House_HD_Script_2010.pdf Walks Through History: Fordyce-Ricks House Historic District, Hot Springs] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120415141325/http://www.arkansaspreservation.com/pdf/tour_scripts/Fordyce-Ricks_House_HD_Script_2010.pdf |date=2012-04-15 }}, 2010, page 9 He became involved in politics as a member of a group of veterans, led by Raymond Clinton and Sidney McMath, which attempted to overthrow the political organization led by Mayor Leo McLaughlin.Sug Wilson, Hot Springs Village Voice, [http://www.hsvvoice.com/news/2008-01-16/Opinions_ideas/017.html Local History: Leo McLaughlin: A Very Colorful Mayor]{{Dead link|date=August 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, January 16, 2008 This veterans group, the "GIs", prevailed in the 1946 municipal elections, and Ricks won the contest for mayor.United Press International. St. Petersburg Times, [https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=SBtWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=IeMDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5526,6066751&dq=earl-ricks&hl=en Names Mayor], April 3, 1947 He served one term, 1947 to 1949, and made efforts to change Hot Springs' reputation as a "sin city" of gambling and vice, while also carrying out a program of improvements to roads, water and sanitation systems.Judy Byrd Brittenum, Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture, [http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?entryID=3187 Biography, Earl Thornton Ricks (1908–1954)], 2009

In 1948 McMath won election as governor. In 1949 he appointed Ricks as adjutant general of the Arkansas National Guard, and Ricks was promoted to brigadier general.William Gober, Jr., Associated Press, Miami Sunday News, [https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=9jIuAAAAIBAJ&sjid=JdcFAAAAIBAJ&pg=5839,6218536&dq=ricks+arkansas+adjutant+general&hl=en Florida Maneuvers Convince Experts U.S. Could be Ready for War in Hour]{{Dead link|date=February 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, February 26, 1950 In 1950 Ricks was appointed Chief of the Air Force Division at the National Guard Bureau and deputy chief of the National Guard Bureau, receiving promotion to major general.Baltimore Sun, [https://archive.today/20130630044424/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/baltsun/access/1680799422.html?FMT=CITE&FMTS=CITE:AI&type=historic&date=Sep+26,+1950&author=&pub=The+Sun+(1837-1985)&desc=General+Ricks+New+Head+Of+Air+National+Guard&pqatl=google General Ricks New Head Of Air National Guard], September 26, 1950 In early to mid-1953 Ricks served four months as the acting Chief of the National Guard Bureau, following the retirement of Raymond H. Fleming.new York Times, [https://www.nytimes.com/1953/02/14/archives/gen-fleming-leaves-guard-post.html Gen. Fleming Leaves Guard Post], February 14, 1953 Ricks was diagnosed with cancer in 1953 and had a tumor removed from his leg. He did not recover, and died at Walter Reed Army Medical Center on January 4, 1954.Chicago Tribune, [https://archive.today/20130630042251/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/505930542.html?dids=505930542:505930542&FMT=CITE&FMTS=CITE:AI&type=historic&date=Jan+05,+1954&author=&pub=Chicago+Tribune&desc=GEN.+EARL+RICKS+DIES;+FLEW+JAPS+TO+M'ARTHUR&pqatl=google Gen. Earl Ricks Dies], January 5, 1954

Legacy

The 188th Fighter Wing was nicknamed "Ricks' Rippers".Air National Guard, [https://archive.today/20130626170519/http://www.188fw.ang.af.mil/history/ A Brief History of the 188th Fighter Wing], accessed May 2, 2013 Ricks was inducted into the Arkansas Aviation Hall of Fame in 1983.Arkansas Air & Military Museum, [https://archive.today/20130414052947/http://www.arkansasairandmilitary.com/exhibits/the-arkansas-aviation-hall-of-fame/ Arkansas Aviation Hall of Fame], 2011 The Air National Guard's annual award for best unit airmanship is called the Earl T. Ricks Award.Air Force Association, [http://www.afa.org/media/press/2009/2009_Award_Table.pdf National Aerospace Awards]{{Dead link|date=August 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, 2009, page 3 The National Guard armory in Little Rock, Arkansas is named for him.Sid McMath, [https://books.google.com/books?id=xnzk54S6y9EC&dq=%22earl+t.+ricks%22+armory&pg=PA184 Promises Kept: A Memoir], 2003, pages 184–185 In the 1950s and 1960s the Air National Guard conducted an annual Ricks Memorial Trophy contest, a cross country timed air race designed to showcase the capabilities of the newly formed Air National Guard.Kennard R. Wiggins Jr., [http://www.militaryheritage.org/Ricksrace.html The Earl T. Ricks Memorial Trophy: A Forgotten Jet Age Championship], 2011 Ricks bought the home of spa and railroad entrepreneur Samuel W. Fordyce in 1932. Still privately owned, in 2003 the 14-room log structure and the nearly 500 acres that adjoin it were designated the Fordyce-Ricks House Historic District by the National Register of Historic Places.The Fordyce-Ricks Estate, [http://www.fordyce-ricks.com/history.html A Brief History of Historic Fordyce Ricks Estate] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130220173019/http://www.fordyce-ricks.com/history.html |date=2013-02-20 }}, 2009

Awards and decorations

Ricks was a recipient of the Legion of Merit and the Air Medal.Judy Byrd Brittenum, Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture, [http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?entryID=3187 Biography, Earl Thornton Ricks (1908–1954)], 2009

References

External links

[https://web.archive.org/web/20121103154248/http://www.188fw.ang.af.mil/history/index.asp A brief history of the 188th Fighter Wing]
[http://arkairmuseum.org/exhibits/the-arkansas-aviation-hall-of-fame/ Arkansas Air & Military Museum] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426071343/http://arkairmuseum.org/exhibits/the-arkansas-aviation-hall-of-fame/ |date=2012-04-26 }}
[http://www.duckhuntingchat.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=36657 Goodbye F-16's...]
[https://web.archive.org/web/20120415141325/http://www.arkansaspreservation.com/pdf/tour_scripts/Fordyce-Ricks_House_HD_Script_2010.pdf Walks through History Fordyce-Ricks House Historic District, Hot Springs]

{{s-bef|before={{Nowrap|Brigadier General Heber L. McAlister}}}}

{{s-ttl|title={{Nowrap|Adjutant General of Arkansas}}|years=1949–1950}}

{{s-aft|after={{Nowrap|Brigadier General Heber L. McAlister}}}}

{{s-ttl|title=Chief of the Air Force Division, National Guard Bureau|years=1950–1954}}

{{succession box|title=Chief of the National Guard Bureau
{{small|Acting}}|before=Major General Raymond H. Fleming|years=1953|after=Major General Edgar C. Erickson}}

{{Portal bar|Aviation|Biography|Business|Politics|United States}}

Category:1908 births

Category:1954 deaths

Category:20th-century American businesspeople

Category:20th-century mayors of places in Arkansas

Category:Aviators from Mississippi

Category:Chiefs of the National Guard Bureau