Army Staff Sgt Ricketts was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He died of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit with small arms fire in Bala Murghab, Afghanistan. William was one of those kids that decided early in life (at the age of 9) that he wanted to be a soldier. Only he was one of those kids that made it happen – the day following the attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001. He graduated from Alcorn Central High School in Glen, Mississippi in 2000 and was a member of the school band. During William's eight years in the military, he was on his fifth tour of duty – two in Iraq and was on his third in Afghanistan. His numerous 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. Being with his wife, Suzanna "Rosie", and two young sons was the most important thing in his life. He and his wife were expecting their third child this summer and who they affectionately called "Peanut". Hunting, camping and just being outdoors were some of the things he enjoyed doing. William was a much respected soldier and looked up to for his work ethic and leadership.
Army Staff Sgt Ricketts was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He died of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit with small arms fire in Bala Murghab, Afghanistan. William was one of those kids that decided early in life (at the age of 9) that he wanted to be a soldier. Only he was one of those kids that made it happen – the day following the attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001. He graduated from Alcorn Central High School in Glen, Mississippi in 2000 and was a member of the school band. During William's eight years in the military, he was on his fifth tour of duty – two in Iraq and was on his third in Afghanistan. His numerous 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. Being with his wife, Suzanna "Rosie", and two young sons was the most important thing in his life. He and his wife were expecting their third child this summer and who they affectionately called "Peanut". Hunting, camping and just being outdoors were some of the things he enjoyed doing. William was a much respected soldier and looked up to for his work ethic and leadership.
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