Rear Admiral Joseph Mason Reeves, USN
I am seeking from relatives of Rear Admiral Joseph Mason Reeves, USN, (born: 20 November 1872, Illinois; entered naval service: 8 September 1890) details and exact date of when the Navy Department commissioned a naval auxiliary field in 1936 and named it after Admiral Reeves- Reeves Field. I am seeking names of the dignitaries who participated in the commissioning ceremony and any details from the Los Angeles Times.
Reeves Field was commissioned in 1936 on Terminal Island, Los Angeles County, California. Located approximately between three cities- San Pedro, Wilmington, and Long Beach. It was reached by each city by taking a foot ferry or one of the Red Cars operated by the Pacific R.R. Company.
Reeves Field was operational from 1936 to 1947. The name of this auxiliary field was later transferred to Naval Air Station Lemoore, California- the new airfield for the U.S. Navy's fighter and attack bombers. That new field was established on Saturday, 8 July 1916, and dedicated on Monday morning, 20 November 1961, with top naval leaders and civic representation. It cost the taxpayers only $154 million. The old auxiliary field on Terminal Island was later closed and the land was made available to Los Angeles for critically needed port expansion to the south.
To those who don't know...Rear Admiral Reeves, USN (retired: 1 December 1936) was advanced to such ranks for his eminent wisdom and dedication to his naval duties and to his country. He was recognized for his conspicuous conduct in combat during the War with Spain (Spanish-American War); designated as a naval aviation observer; held a Naval War College diploma; and, awarded the Navy Cross for services rendered during the Great War (World War I).
Rear Admiral Reeves was a strong advocate of naval aviation and served as the Commander in Chief, Aircraft Squadrons, Battle Fleet (from 10 October 1925 until about 1930). By those who saw him; knew of him; worked closely with him, they heard of descriptions associated with the Admiral: nicknamed by the men who respected him but dared not say to him in person..."Old Whiskers", "Bull", or "Billy-goat". Such names were often given to the "old timers" or "old salts". Even Fleet Admiral William F. Halsey, USN, had to endure such names: "Bull".
The Battle Fleet that Rear Admiral Reeves commanded wasn't the surface gunships (battleships and cruisers). This Battle Fleet comprised aviation/fixed-wing squadrons attached to USS Langley (CV-1), USS Lexington (CV-2), USS Saratoga (CV-3), and small aviation detachments serving aboard battleships and cruisers, including the aviation attachments located ashore. It was an immense responsibility during the years when "battleships" were still planned to lead the offensive and aircraft were to be used as "scouts" like the submarines.
Rear Admiral Reeves and Rear Admiral Moffet were from the same school of thought; formed from the same mold of men who were the "old salts"...that naval aviation would decide the outcome of future naval surface engagements between two opposing fleets in the expanses of the Pacific Ocean. Rear Admiral Reeves and his closest aviation proponents knew that the USN would have to be prepared to deal with the rising naval aviation within the Empire of Japan, and that our battle tactics had to be written for such an engagement, no matter what the battleship admirals wanted to do.
Thank you!
More Replies:
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Re: Rear Admiral Joseph Mason Reeves, USN
Barbara Morin 1/04/03
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Re: Rear Admiral Joseph Mason Reeves, USN
Dr. Stephen Berrey 1/04/03
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Re: Rear Admiral Joseph Mason Reeves, USN
Kent Simonsen 4/10/03
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Re: Rear Admiral Joseph Mason Reeves, USN
Dr. Stephen Berrey 4/10/03
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Re: Rear Admiral Joseph Mason Reeves, USN
Kent Simonsen 1/25/04
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Re: Rear Admiral Joseph Mason Reeves, USN
Dr. Stephen Berrey 1/25/04
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Re: Rear Admiral Joseph Mason Reeves, USN
Kent Simonsen 1/25/04
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Re: Rear Admiral Joseph Mason Reeves, USN
Glen F. Pritchett 2/22/09
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Re: Rear Admiral Joseph Mason Reeves, USN
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Re: Rear Admiral Joseph Mason Reeves, USN
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Re: Rear Admiral Joseph Mason Reeves, USN
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Re: Rear Admiral Joseph Mason Reeves, USN
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Re: Rear Admiral Joseph Mason Reeves, USN
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Re: Rear Admiral Joseph Mason Reeves, USN