Ramsey was born on October 2, 1888, at Whipple Barracks, near Prescott, Arizona, to Frank DeWitt Ramsey and Lillian Carlotta Zulick. He was the grandson of Arizona Territorial Governor C. Meyer Zulick. Upon graduation from the U.S. Naval Academy, Ramsey was commissioned an Ensign in June 1912. He took Juanita as his wife. In 1917 he qualified as a naval aviator. During World War I, he was Inspection Officer for United States Naval Air Stations in France, and a member of the Inter-Allied Naval Armistice Commission.
During the interwar period, Ramsey served as a naval aviator on various naval staffs and ships. Reporting on board the aircraft carrier USS Saratoga(CV-3) in 1938, he was her executive officer into 1939. Later that year, he headed BuAer's Plans Division, and in 1941 became Assistant Chief of BuAer.
For his skillful use of airpower against Japanese naval forces in the Solomons, he was awarded the Navy Cross. In the Saratoga, he next commanded a task force that included a British carrier, HMS Victorious (R38).
DeWitt Clinton Ramsey
Service: Navy
Division: U.S.S. Saratoga (CV-3)
Place and date: Guadalcanal-Tulagi, 24 August 1942
GENERAL ORDERS: Board Serial 3954 (October 30, 1942)
Citation:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Captain DeWitt Clinton Ramsey (NSN: 0-7813), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the Aircraft Carrier U.S.S. SARATOGA (CV-3), during the occupation of Guadalcanal-Tulagi and the Battle of the Solomons, 24 August 1942. The air groups under Captain Ramsey's command successfully attacked and damaged ships of two Japanese Task Forces during this action. By his leadership and effective control of the air squadrons attached to his command, he contributed most effectively to the success of this engagement. His outstanding performance of duty was at all times an inspiration to those who served under him and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.[2]
