Joseph M. Reeves | |
|---|---|
 Reeves in 1934 | |
| Birth name | Joseph Mason Reeves |
| Nickname(s) | "Bull" |
| Born | (1872-11-20)20 November 1872 Tampico, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | 25 March 1948(1948-03-25) (aged 75) Bethesda, Maryland, U.S. |
| Place of burial | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Service |  United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1894–1936 1940–1947 |
| Rank |  Admiral |
| Commands | United States Fleet |
| Battles / wars | Spanish–American War World War I World War II |
| Awards | Navy Cross Distinguished Service Medal Legion of Merit |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
|---|---|
| 1907 | Navy |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 9–2–1 |
Joseph Mason "Bull" Reeves (20 November 1872 – 25 March 1948) was anadmiral in theUnited States Navy and an early and important supporter of U.S.Naval Aviation. Though a battleship officer during his early career, he became known as the "Father of Carrier Aviation" for his role in integratingaircraft carriers into the fleet as a major part of the Navy's attack capabilities.
Reeves retired in the mid-1930s but was recalled to active duty duringWorld War II to serve in high-level staff positions within the Office of theSecretary of the Navy. He retired again in December 1946 with the rank of full admiral.
Joseph Mason Reeves was born on 20 November 1872, in the village ofTampico, Illinois.
He received an appointment in 1890 to attend theUnited States Naval Academy, where he became a football hero. In addition to his on-field heroics, he is credited with the invention of the modernfootball helmet, which he had a shoemaker create for him after being told by a Navy doctor that another kick to his head could result in "instant insanity" or death.[1] Reeves graduated from the academy in 1894.
Upon graduation, Reeves was assigned to the cruiserUSS San Francisco. He served on the battleshipUSS Oregon during theSpanish–American War, taking part in the action against AdmiralPascual Cervera y Topete's fleet atSantiago de Cuba in June and July 1898.
After the start of the 20th century, Reeves served in San Francisco and on the battleshipsUSS Wisconsin andUSS Ohio in addition to tours ashore atNewport andAnnapolis, where he was an instructor in the Naval Academy's Department of Physics and Chemistry, 1906–08. He served as the academy's head football coach in 1907, guiding the team to a 9–2–1 record and a 6–0 victory over Army.
Following duties as ordnance officer on board the battleshipUSS New Hampshire, Reeves served as ordnance officer in the staff of the Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet. He followed this with assignment to theBoard of Inspection and Survey and a tour as Commanding Officer, Naval Coal Depot,Tiburon, California.
In April 1913, Commander Reeves assumed command of the collierUSS Jupiter (AC-3), the Navy's first electrically propelled vessel. The ship was rebuilt and recommissioned in 1922 asUSS Langley (CV-1), the Navy's firstaircraft carrier.
Detached fromJupiter in April 1914, he commanded the cruiserUSS St. Louis and various other ships until assigned to the battleshipUSS Oregon in June 1915 as Commanding Officer.
Detached for shore duty at theMare Island Naval Shipyard in California in June 1916, he then commanded the battleshipUSS Maine duringWorld War I, earning theNavy Cross for "exceptionally meritorious service" during that tour.
After the war he served as Naval Attaché atRome and in April 1921 assumed command of the cruiserUSS Pittsburgh. Captain of the Mare Island Navy Yard at the end of that year, he afterwards commanded the battleshipUSS North Dakota in 1922–23, then attended theNaval War College atNewport. After completing his coursework, he spent a year as a member of the staff.
Upon completing his tour at the War College, Captain Reeves decided to enter the new world of naval aviation. In order to hold a command post, however, he needed to receive aviation training. Like other older officers—notably, RADMWilliam A. Moffett, Chief of the Navy's newBureau of Aeronautics—Reeves qualified as a "Naval Aviation Observer" rather than as a "Naval Aviator" (i.e., a pilot). He received his qualification in 1925 and assumed the post of Commander, Aircraft Squadron, Battle Fleet. Though a captain by rank, his position as squadron commander permitted him to fly acommodore's pennant. His flagship was the experimental carrier USSLangley—his old ship,Jupiter, modified for aviation operations. The wooden flight-deck was installed over theLangley's existing deck structures, giving the vessel the nickname of "Covered Wagon."
While in this command, Reeves worked hard to develop carrier aviation tactics, seeking to increase sortie rates and the use of dive-bombing. He proved these concepts by the success of his pilots and aircrew during the Navy's annual fleet exercises (known as "Fleet Problems").[2]
Reeves served on theNavy's General Board, June 1929–June 1930. Fifteen months later he became Senior Member of the Board of Inspection and Survey, Pacific Coast Section. Another tour at Mare Island followed and in June 1933 he became Commander, Battleships,Battle Force, with the rank of vice admiral. In July, he was assigned as Commander, Battle Force, U.S. Fleet, with the rank of admiral.
On 26 February 1934, Admiral Reeves was designated Commander-in-Chief,U.S. Fleet. He held this command until June 1936, when he was ordered to Washington, D.C., to serve on the General Board. He held the Board position until 23 November 1936, and retired seven days later.
The admiral's retirement was short-lived, as his nation again needed his services to fight another World War. Reeves was recalled to active duty on May 13, 1940, advanced to vice admiral on the retired list, and was attached to the Office of the Secretary of the Navy. Reeves served simultaneously as Lend-Lease Liaison Officer from March 1941 to December 1945, Senior Military Member of the Munitions Assignments Board and Chairman of the Munitions Assignment Committee (Navy) from 13 February 1942 to 8 November 1945, and Chairman of the Joint Munitions Allocation Committee from 11 January 1944 to 2 September 1945.[3]
In diplomatic relations with the senior military representatives of the United Nations, Admiral Reeves displayed unusual qualities of leadership and rendered invaluable service in carrying out his duties. His skill and initiative in bringing about the harmonious distribution of finished materials to meet the demands of all United Nations Services, were essential to the integration of the Allied military organization, and his brilliant analyses of the overall situation were substantial factors in executing logistic plans in accordance with strategic requirements.[4][5]
Reeves retired from the Navy as anAdmiral in June 1947 and received theDistinguished Service Medal andLegion of Merit for his service. He spent his last years living inMaryland and died at theNational Naval Medical Center inBethesda, Maryland, on 25 March 1948.[6]
Together with his wife Eleanor Watkins Reeves, Reeves had three children.
Reeves was portrayed byJack Holt inTask Force (film).
A warship and two airfields have been named in honor of Admiral Reeves.
Reeves earned the following awards and decorations:
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| Year | Team | Overall | Conference | Standing | Bowl/playoffs | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Navy Midshipmen(Independent)(1907) | |||||||||
| 1907 | Navy | 9–2–1 | |||||||
| Navy: | 9–2–1 | ||||||||
| Total: | 9–2–1 | ||||||||
This article incorporates text from thepublic domainDictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.
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| Preceded by | Commander in Chief,United States Fleet 26 February 1934 – June 1936 | Succeeded by |
