About the author

Donald M. Ricks, Wheeler State Park, Alabama, 2009

Hello Family, Friends, and Neighbors!

Thank you for the visit, and let me introduce myself. In case this is boring stuff, just hit the back key to get out of here.

My paternal lineage is as follows:

Donald Milton8 Ricks (William Roscoe7, William Edward6, John W.5, Ransom4, John3, Edward2, Jonas1).

My maternal lineage is as follows:

Donald Milton5 Ricks (Rilla Maye4 Fowler, William David3, Francis Marion2, Samuel1). >

Professional History

God had blessed me exceedingly during my life, so I am shy to say that anything I have done is a personal accomplishment. However, with this opportunity to praise the Lord for His gifts, this self-exposure could also help someone, if interested, to know something about this researcher.

I was previously certified as a genealogical research specialist (did not renew) and obtained the certification from the:

Board for Certification of Genealogists (BCG)

Be it known that Donald Milton Ricks has been examined and certified as a Genealogical Record Specialist for a period of five years from the date hereof: Signed and Sealed this Eighth day of October 1993

Helen M. Leary, President
Joan F. Curran, Secretary
[Certificate] No. 694

For additional information on certification requirements, contact:

Board for Certification of Genealogists
Post Office Box 14291
Washington, DC 20044

Following certification, I attended several genealogy courses at:

Samford University

Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research
800 Lakeshore Drive
Birmingham, Alabama 35229
(205) 870-2780

I have researched professionally since 1993 but have been involved in family research since about 1975. I no longer take client commissions.

Personal History

Born at Fort Dix, New Jersey, the second son of William Roscoe Ricks, of Prentiss County, Mississippi, and Rilla Maye Fowler, of Randolph County, Alabama. I attended Valdosta High School, Valdosta, Georgia; and college at Troy State University, Northwestern University, Columbus College, Central Texas College, and Southwest Texas State University.

Attending those various colleges were necessary during twenty-three years of active US Army service. I was an air traffic controller and an army aviator qualified in multi-engine fixed wing and helicopters (commercial instrument rating). First, I attended officer candidate school and was commissioned as an infantry officer (Honor Guaduate!!). Then came fixed wing flight training at Fort Stewart, Georgia, and Fort Rucker, Alabama (Distinguished Graduate!!). This class standing and recognition created an automatic transition into multi-engine aircraft. Several tours later came Advanced Officer Training Course (Infantry), which lasted six months. I eventually attended half of the Command and General Staff course.

Military Service, 1960-1983

Three tours in Europe:

  1. Vassincourt, France (Construction Engineer, Co. D, 97th Engineer Bn., 1961-63).
  2. Darmstadt, Germany (Air Traffic Controller, Darmstadt Army Airfield, Battery F, 26th Artillery, 1966-68). Attended Third Army NCO Academy, Bad Tolz, Germany, in 1967.
  3. Stuttgart, Germany (Aviator, Property Book Officer, Assistant Operations Officer, 25th Aviation Company (Corp. support), Echterdingen Army Airfield, 1980-1983). Attended Flight Safety International's course on the Super King Air (BE-200); training held near the Beechcraft Factory, Witchita, Kansas, in 1981.

Two tours in Southeast Asia:

  1. South Vietnam (220th Reconnaissance Airplane Company, Hua Phu Bai; Command Aircraft Company, Saigon, and Long Thanh North, 1969-70).
  2. Thailand (Commander, Joint Casualty Resolution Center Flight Support Section, Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base and U-tapoi Airfield, 1974-75).

Ten tours in the United States of America:

  1. Fort Jackson, South Carolina (basic individual training Oct 1960-March 1961).
  2. Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri (advanced individual training in combat engineering-in a State often called "Misery"-loved every minute of it, 'cause I learned so much!!)
  3. Fort Eustis, Virginia (597th Transportation Company, 1964-65).
  4. Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi (U. S. Air Force Air Traffic Control School, 1966).
  5. Dugway Proving Ground, Utah (Hqs. Co., Air Traffic Controller, Michael Army Airfield).
  6. Fort Rucker, Alabama (Instructor, Air Traffic Control School, 1970-71; Executive Office, Officer Student Co., 1971-72; Commander, Air Traffic Control Co., 1972-73).
  7. Fort Benning, Georgia (Infantry Officer Advance Course, Platoon Leader, 1973-74).
  8. Kalamazoo, Michigan (Commander, U. S. Army Recruiting Command, Kalamazoo Station, 1974-75). Requested relief from active duty, 1975; returned 1976.
  9. Fort Polk, Louisiana (5th Infantry Division, Mech.; Squad Leader, B Co., 6th Bn., Assistant Platoon Sergeant, B. Co., 6th Bn.; Intelligence Sergeant, Division Support Command, First Sergeant, 5th Military Intelligence Co., 1976-79).
  10. US Army Aviation Center & School, Fort Rucker, Alabama (Helicopter Transition Course, 1979-80).

Civilian Career

Donald M. Ricks and sons, Jimmy Triqueneaux (Ricks) and James A. Ricks, Denver, Colorado Donna, Don, Leona, Decatur, Alabama

Photos above: photo one: (l-r) My sons, James A. Ricks, and (on my left) , Jimmy Triqueneaux (Ricks). Photo two: Donna, Don, and our daughter Leona Ricks.

POW-MIA Ring graphic
POW/MIA Ring web site