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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- PEOPLE -- UNITED STATES --

Chief Radioman Thomas James Reeves, USN, (1895-1941)

Thomas James Reeves was born in Thomaston, Connecticut, on 9 December 1895. He enlisted in the Navy in July 1917 as an Electrician, Third Class. Reenlisted after a brief separation from the service in October 1921, Reeves rose to the rank of Chief Radioman during the following two decades. During the 7 December 1941 Japanese air raid on Pearl Harbor, he was serving on board USS California (BB-44). When the ship was bombed, torpedoed and set afire, Chief Petty Officer Reeves assisted in the supply of ammunition until overcome by smoke and fire. For this act of sacrifice and heroism, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

The escort ship USS Reeves (DE-156), 1943-1960, was named in honor of Chief Radioman Reeves.

This page features our only view of RMC Thomas James Reeves, USN.


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

Photo #: NH 101649

Chief Radioman Thomas James Reeves, USN


Who was awarded the Medal of Honor, posthumously, for heroism while serving on board USS California (BB-44) during the 7 December 1941 Japanese raid on Pearl Harbor.
Halftone reproduction, copied from the official publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1948, The Navy", page 248.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 94KB; 545 x 765 pixels

 



Medal of Honor citation of Chief Radioman Thomas James Reeves (as printed in the official publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy", page 248):

"For distinguished conduct in the line of his profession, extraordinary courage and disregard of his own safety during the attack on the Fleet in Pearl Harbor, by Japanese Forces on 7 December 1941. After the mechanized ammunition hoists were put out of action in the U.S.S. California, REEVES, on his own initiative, in a burning passageway, assisted in the maintenance of an ammunition supply by hand to the antiaircraft guns until he was overcome by smoke and fire, which resulted in his death."


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


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Page made 3 December 2000