Seaman (E2) Ricklefs was a member of the crew of the landing ship tank, USS King County (LST-857). He was killed by an enemy missile during the Inchon landing on 15 September 1950.

Seaman Apprentice Ricklefs was awarded the Purple Heart, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.