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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 --
Lieutenant Commander Walter E. Reno, USN (1881-1917)
Walter Elsworth Reno was born in Davis County, Iowa, on 3 October
1881. He entered the U.S. Naval Academy in 1901 and graduated
in 1905. While a junior officer, Reno served primarily in battleships.
He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in 1910 and during the
next four years was stationed in the battleships New
Jersey and Wisconsin. From early 1914 until early
1916 he was Officer in Charge at the Chicago, Illinois, Navy Recruiting
Station.
Lieutenant Reno then went out to the Philippines, where he
took command of the destroyer Chauncey.
In the Summer of 1917, after United States had entered World War
I, Reno brought his ship from the Far East to the European war
zone. While on convoy escort duty west of Gibraltar during the
night of 19 November 1917, Chauncey was rammed by a merchant
steamer and sank, taking with her Lieutenant Commander Reno and
twenty of his ship's officers and men.
USS Reno (DD-303),
1920-1931, was named in honor of Lieutenant Commander Reno.
This page features the only views we have related to Walter
E. Reno.
Click on the small photograph to prompt
a larger view of the same image.
Photo #: NH 70903
Lieutenant Walter E. Reno, USN
Photographed prior to World War I.
While serving as Commanding Officer of USS Chauncey (Destroyer
# 3), Lieutenant Commander Reno was lost with his ship when she
collided with the British merchant steamer Rose off Gibraltar
on 19 November 1917.
USS Reno (DD-303) was named in his honor.
Courtesy of Lieutenant Gustave Freret, 1970.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 33KB; 280 x 765 pixels |
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The following photographs show a memorial tablet featuring
the name of LCdr. Reno:
Photo #: NH 42003
USS Chauncey (Destroyer # 3)
Memorial tablet erected by the officers and men of Destroyer
Squadron Fifteen in memory of the three officers and eighteen
enlisted crewmen lost with Chauncey on 19 November 1917.
The tablet was probably dedicated following World War I, possibly
at Gibraltar.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 96KB; 405 x 765 pixels |
 |
Photo #: NH 90282
USS Chauncey (Destroyer # 3)
Dedication ceremonies for a memorial tablet erected by the officers
and men of Destroyer Squadron Fifteen in memory of the three
officers and eighteen enlisted crewmen lost with Chauncey
on 19 November 1917.
The ceremonies probably took place following World War I, possibly
at Gibraltar.
Collection of Vice Admiral Thomas T. Craven, USN. Courtesy of
Lieutenant Rodman Dekay, Jr., USNR (Retired), 1979.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 128KB; 740 x 590 pixels |
 |
Photo #: NH 42002
USS Chauncey (Destroyer # 3)
Memorial tablet erected by the officers and men of Destroyer
Squadron Fifteen in memory of the three officers and eighteen
enlisted crewmen lost with Chauncey on 19 November 1917.
Photographed during the dedication ceremonies, possibly at Gibraltar,
after World War I.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 154KB; 505 x 765 pixels |
 |
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Page made 31 August 2002