John Walter Reeves Jr. (April 25, 1888 – July 16, 1967) was an

admiral Admiral is one of the highest ranks in some navies. In the Commonwealth nations and the United States, a "full" admiral is equivalent to a "full" general in the army or the air force, and is above vice admiral and below admiral of the fleet, ...

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 The commanding officer (CO) or sometimes, if the incumbent is a general officer, commanding general (CG), is the officer in command of a military unit. The commanding officer has ultimate authority over the unit, and is usually given wide latitu ...

of the USS ''Parrott'' (DD-218) (June 1928 – June 1929) and (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. A native of Haddonfield, New Jersey, Reeves died at

Pensacola, Florida Pensacola () is the westernmost city in the Florida Panhandle, and the county seat and only incorporated city of Escambia County, Florida, United States. As of the 2020 United States census, the population was 54,312. Pensacola is the principal ...

. He is buried in Barrancas National Cemetery.

References

1888 births 1967 deaths United States Navy admirals United States Naval Academy alumni United States Navy personnel of World War I United States Navy World War II admirals Recipients of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal Recipients of the Legion of Merit Burials at Barrancas National Cemetery People from Haddonfield, New Jersey Military personnel from New Jersey {{US-navy-bio-stub