John Walter Reeves Jr. (April 25, 1888[1] – July 16, 1967)[2] was an admiral of the United States Navy who served as the Commander of the Alaskan Sector, Northwest Sea Frontier, during World War II. As such, he led the effort to dislodge Imperial Japan forces from the Aleutian Islands.
Later transferred back to sea duty, Reeves was designated (on 7 Mar 1944), commander, Carrier Division Four (COMCARDIV) Task Group 58.1 hoisting his flag in USS Enterprise (CV-6). Reeves' Task Group 58.3, consisting of the Enterprise, Lexington (CV-16), San Jacinto (CVL-30) and Princeton (CVL-23), played a key role in the Battle of the Philippine Sea on 19–20 June 1944.
Prior to flag rank, Admiral Reeves was the commanding officer of the USS Parrott (DD-218) (June 1928 – June 1929) and USS Wasp (CV-7) (April 1940 – May 1942).
Reeves was promoted to vice admiral on April 1, 1949, and advanced to admiral based on his combat service when he retired in May 1950.[1]
A native of Haddonfield, New Jersey, Reeves died at Pensacola, Florida. He is buried in Barrancas National Cemetery.[3]
References
- ^ a b Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps. Bureau of Naval Personnel. January 1, 1951. p. 410. Retrieved January 11, 2020.
- ^ "Danville Register Newspaper Archives, Jul 16, 1967, p. 21". 16 July 1967.
- ^ "Nationwide Gravesite Locator". National Cemetery Administration. Retrieved January 11, 2020.