View source for Joseph M. Reeves

{{short description|American four-star Admiral}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2024}}{{Use American English|date=December 2024}}
{{Infobox military person
| birth_name    = Joseph Mason Reeves
| birth_date    = {{birth date|1872|11|20|df=y}}
| death_date    = {{death date and age|1948|3|25|1872|11|20|df=y}}
| image         = NH 47100 Admiral Joseph M. Reeves, USN.jpg
| caption       = Reeves in 1934
| nickname      = "Bull"
| birth_place   = [[Tampico, Illinois]], U.S.
| death_place   = [[Bethesda, Maryland]], U.S.
| placeofburial = [[United States Naval Academy Cemetery]], [[Annapolis, Maryland|Annapolis]], [[Maryland]]
| placeofburial_label = Place of burial
| allegiance    = {{flagu|United States|1912}}
| branch        = {{Naval|United States|navy-1864}}
| serviceyears  = 1894–1936<br />1940–1947
| rank          = [[File:US-O10 insignia.svg|40px]] [[Admiral (United States)|Admiral]]
| unit          = 
| commands      = [[United States Fleet]]
| battles       = {{tree list}}
*[[Spanish–American War]]
**[[Battle of Santiago de Cuba]]
*[[World War I]]
*[[World War II]]
{{tree list/end}}
| awards        = [[Navy Cross (United States)|Navy Cross]]<br />[[Navy Distinguished Service Medal|Distinguished Service Medal]]<br />[[Legion of Merit]]
| relations     = 
| laterwork     = 
}}
{{Infobox college coach
| name = Joe Reeves
| image = 
| alt = 
| caption = 
| birth_date = 
| birth_place = 
| death_date = 
| death_place = 
| alma_mater = 
| coach_years1 = 1907
| coach_team1 = [[Navy Midshipmen football|Navy]]
| overall_record = 9–2–1
| bowl_record = 
| tournament_record = 
| championships = 
| awards = 
| coaching_records = 
}}

'''Joseph Mason''' "'''Bull'''" '''Reeves''' (20 November 1872 – 25 March 1948) was an [[admiral]] in the [[United States Navy]] and an early and important supporter of U.S. [[Naval aviation|Naval Aviation]]. Though a [[battleship]] [[Officer (armed forces)|officer]] during his early career, he became known as the "Father of Carrier Aviation" for his role in integrating [[aircraft carrier]]s into the fleet as a major part of the U.S. Navy's attack capabilities.

Reeves retired in the mid-1930s but was recalled to active duty during [[World War II]] to serve in high-level staff positions within the Office of the [[United States Secretary of the Navy]]. He retired again in December 1946 with the rank of full [[Admiral (United States)|admiral]].

==Biography==
===Early life===
Joseph Mason Reeves was born on 20 November 1872 in the village of [[Tampico, Illinois|Tampico]], [[Illinois]].<ref name=op29>{{cite web |author=<!-- not stated --> |date=20 May 1952 |title=Admiral Joseph Mason Reeves, USN |url=https://usssanfrancisco.org/the-stories/admiral-joseph-mason-reeves-usn/ |website= usssanfrancisco.org|location= |publisher=[[United States Navy]], Naval Biography Division of Naval Records & History, Op-29 |access-date=1 May 2025}}</ref> He received an appointment in 1890 to attend the [[United States Naval Academy]] in [[Annapolis, Maryland|Annapolis]], [[Maryland]], where he became a [[American football|football]] hero. In addition to his on-field heroics, he is credited with the invention of the modern [[football helmet]], which he had a [[Shoemaking|shoemaker]] create for him after being told by a U.S. Navy doctor that another kick to his head could result in "instant insanity" or death.<ref>[http://www.pasttimesports.biz/history.html "History of the Football Helmet"] from [http://www.pasttimesports.biz/ ''Past Time Sports'']. Accessed Jan 1,2010</ref> Reeves graduated from the academy in June 1894.

===Naval career===
====1894–1902====
Upon graduation, Reeves was assigned to the [[protected cruiser]] {{USS|San Francisco|C-5|6}}. After the then-mandatory two years at sea prior to being commissioned as an [[Officer (armed forces)|officer]], he was commissioned with the rank of assistant engineer in 1896.<ref name=op29/> In 1896 he was reassigned to the [[battleship]] {{USS|Oregon|BB-3|6}} in the [[Pacific Squadron]].<ref name=op29/> When the [[Spanish–American War]] broke out in April 1898, ''Oregon'' was at [[San Francisco]], [[California]], and Reeves was aboard her for her famous 66-day voyage from San Francisco and around [[Cape Horn]] to the [[Caribbean]] to join the [[North Atlantic Squadron]] for operations against the [[Spanish Navy]].<ref name=op29/> After arriving off [[Cuba]], Reeves took part aboard ''Oregon'' in the [[blockade]] of Admiral [[Pascual Cervera y Topete]]'s [[Squadron (naval)|squadron]] at [[Santiago de Cuba]] in June and July 1898 and its culmination in the [[Battle of Santiago de Cuba]] on 3&nbsp;July. For the latter action he was advanced four numbers in grade and commended "[f]or displaying ominous and conspicuous conduct in managing the machinery of the Vessel OREGON, July 3, 1898. [He] so developed the efficiency of the motive power as to cause the attainment of a speed unusual to the ship, thereby enabling her commanding officer to place her in the very conspicuous position that she occupied on that occasion, thus contributing in a very important degree to the success of the OREGON in the battle."<ref name=op29/> The war ended in August 1898.

Reeves's "assistant engineer" rank was changed to [[Ensign (rank)|ensign]] on 3&nbsp;March 1899.<ref name=op29/> He was promoted to [[lieutenant (junior grade)]] on 1&nbsp;July 1899 and to [[Lieutenant (navy)|lieutenant]] on 9&nbsp;October 1901.<ref name=op29/> During these years he left ''Oregon'' and subsequently served consecutively aboard the [[presidential yacht]] {{USS|Sylph|PY-5|6}}, the [[gunboat]] and [[dispatch vessel]] {{USS|Dolphin|PG-24|6}}, and the battleship {{USS|Kearsarge|BB-5|6}} until ordered to the [[Naval Torpedo Station]] at [[Newport, Rhode Island|Newport]], [[Rhode Island]], for six weeks of instruction in [[torpedo]]es.<ref name=op29/> He then had duty at the [[Washington Navy Yard]] in [[Washington, D.C.]], until September 1902.<ref name=op29/>

====1902–1925====
After leaving the Washington Navy Yard in 1902, Reeves again served aboard ''San Francisco''.<ref name=op29/> In July 1904 he became aide on the staff of Commander-in-Chief, [[United States Asiatic Fleet]], first under [[Admiral (United States)|Admiral]] [[Yates Stirling]] aboard his [[flagship]], the battleship {{USS|Wisconsin|BB-9|6}}, and then under Admiral [[Charles J. Train]] aboard his flagship, the battleship {{USS|Ohio|BB-12|6}}.<ref name=op29/> Train died on 4&nbsp;August 1906,<ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1982&dat=19060811&id=6wcyAAAAIBAJ&sjid=SuMFAAAAIBAJ&pg=3803,1740133 Anonymous, 'in Honor of Adm. Train," ''The Evening News'', San Jose, California, August 8, 1906, p. 8.]</ref> and Reeves was detached that month and returned to the U.S. Naval Academy, where he was an instructor in the Department of [[Chemistry]] and [[Physics]] from 1906 to 1908.<ref name=op29/> He served as the academy's head football coach in 1907, guiding [[1907 Navy Midshipmen football team|the team]] to a 9–2–1 record and a 6–0 victory over [[1907 Army Cadets football team|Army]].

In March 1908 Reeves became ordnance officer aboard the battleship {{USS|New Hampshire|BB-25|6}}.<ref name=op29/> In September 1909 he began an assignment as fleet ordnance officer on the staff of the Commander-in-Chief, [[United States Atlantic Fleet]], Admiral [[Seaton Schroeder]], aboard Schroeder's flagship, the battleship {{USS|Connecticut|BB-18|6}}.<ref name=op29/> He moved on in September 1910, one source claiming he began a tour as [[commanding officer]] of the Naval [[Coal]] Depot aat [[Tiburon, California|Tiburon]], [[California]],<ref name=op29/> another that he first had an assignment to the [[Board of Inspection and Survey]] before assuming duty at Tiburon.

In April 1913, Reeves assumed command of the [[Collier (ship)|collier]] {{USS|Jupiter|AC-3|6}}, the U.S. Navy's first electrically propelled vessel. Detached from ''Jupiter'' in April 1914, Reeves took command of the protected cruiser {{USS|St. Louis|C-20|6}}. During the remainder of 1914 he was attached temporarily to the gunboat {{USS|Vicksburg|PG-11|6}}, the protected cruiser {{USS|Milwaukee|C-21|6}}, the armored cruiser {{USS|Colorado|ACR-7|6}}, the gunboat {{USS|Annapolis|PG-10|6}}, and the armored cruiser {{USS|South Dakota|ACR-9|6}}. In either December 1914<ref name=op29/> or June 1915 he took command of the battleship ''Oregon''. He left ''Oregon'' in either March<ref name=op29/> or June 1916 to become aide to the commandant of [[Mare Island Naval Shipyard|Mare Island Navy Yard]].<ref name=op29/>

The [[United States]] entered [[World War I]] in April 1917, and in December 1917 Reeves left Mare Island for war service in command of the battleship {{USS|Maine|BB-10|6}}.<ref name=op29/> Under his command, ''Maine'' took part in [[convoy]] escort operations in the [[Atlantic Ocean]].<ref name=op29/> He received the [[Navy Cross (United States)|Navy Cross]] for his tour in command of ''Maine'', the citation stating, "For exceptionally meritorious service in a duty of great responsibility as commanding officer of the USS MAINE with the Atlantic Fleet."<ref name=op29/> In September 1918 he became the commanding officer of the battleship {{USS|Kansas|BB-21|6}}, and in October 1918 he began an assignment to the [[Office of Naval Intelligence]] in the [[United States Department of the Navy]] in Washington, D.C..<ref name=op29/> The war ended on 11&nbsp;November 1918. 

On 15 April 1919, Reeves became the U.S. [[naval attaché]] at [[Rome]], [[Kingdom of Italy|Italy]].<ref name=op29/> Upon completing this assignment, he assumed command of the armored cruiser [[USS Pennsylvania (ACR-4)|USS ''Pittsburgh'']] in Europe and steamed back to the [[United States]] aboard her.<ref name=op29/> On 6&nbsp;October 1921 he reported to the [[receiving ship]] at San Francisco for duty on command, and he became Captain of the Mare Island Navy Yard in November 1921.<ref name=op29/> He afterwards commanded the battleship {{USS|North Dakota|BB-29}} in 1922–1923, then attended the [[United States Naval War College]] at Newport, Rhode Island. After completing his course work, he spent a year as a member of the college's staff.

====Entering naval aviation====
[[File:Reeves and Pratt.jpg|thumb|left|[[Admiral (United States)|Admiral]] [[William V. Pratt]] (left), [[Rear Admiral (United States)|Rear Admiral]] Joseph M. Reeves (center), and [[Captain (United States O-6)|Captain]] Frank R. McCrary (right), at [[Naval Air Station North Island]] in [[San Diego]], [[California]], on 27&nbsp;December&nbsp;1928.]]
Upon completing his tour at the Naval War College, 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, [[Rear Admiral (United States)|Rear Admiral]] [[William A. Moffett]], Chief of the Navy's new [[Bureau 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 (aviation)|Squadron]], [[Battle Fleet]]. Though a [[Captain (United States O-6)|captain]] by rank, his position as squadron commander permitted him to fly a [[Broad pennant|commodore's pennant]]. His [[flagship]] was the experimental aircraft carrier {{USS|Langley|CV-1}} — his old ship ''Jupiter'', rebuilt for and [[Ship commissioning|recommissioned]] in 1922 as the U.S. Navy's first [[aircraft carrier]]. The wooden [[flight deck]] was installed over ''Langley's'' existing deck structures, giving the vessel the nickname "The Covered Wagon."

While in command of ''Langley'', 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 U.S. Navy's annual fleet exercises (known as "[[Fleet Problem]]s").<ref name="Let Sailors Be Tactical Incubators">{{cite web | url = https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/2020/june/let-sailors-be-tactical-incubators | access-date = 7 June 2020 | work = Proceedings of the U.S. Naval Institute | title = Let Sailors Be Tactical Incubators, Proceedings of the U.S. Naval Institute; June 2020| date = June 2020 | publisher = U.S. Naval Institute}}</ref>

Reeves served on the [[General Board of the United States Navy|Navy's General Board]] from June 1929 to June 1930. Fifteen months later he became Senior Member of the Board of Inspection and Survey, Pacific Coast Section. Another tour at Mare Island Navy Yard followed and in June 1933 he became Commander, Battleships, [[Battle Force]], with the temporary rank of [[Vice admiral (United States)|vice admiral]]. In July 1933 he was assigned as Commander, Battle Force, [[United States Fleet]], with the rank of [[Admiral (United States)|admiral]].

On 26 February 1934, 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 on 30&nbsp;November 1936.

====World War II====
[[File:Admiral Joseph M. Reeves.jpg|thumb|right|Admiral [[Arthur Japy Hepburn]], left, assuming command of [[United States Fleet]] from Admiral Joseph M. Reeves, 24 June 1936.]]
[[World War II]] broke out in [[Europe]] on 1&nbsp;September 1939, and Reeves was recalled to active duty on 13&nbsp;May 1940, advanced to vice admiral on the retired list, and attached to the Office of the [[United States 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&nbsp;February 1942 to 8&nbsp;November 1945, and Chairman of the Joint Munitions Allocation Committee from 11&nbsp;January 1944 to 2&nbsp;September 1945.<ref name="All Hands June 1947">{{cite web | url = https://media.defense.gov/2019/Apr/10/2002112341/-1/-1/1/AH194706.pdf | access-date = 11 February 2017 | work = navy.mil | title = All Hands - The Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin; June 1947 | publisher = United States Navy Websites}}</ref>

In diplomatic relations with the senior military representatives of the [[Allies of World War II|Allies]] during World war II, 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.<ref name="All Hands November 1946">{{cite web | url = https://media.defense.gov/2019/Apr/10/2002112334/-1/-1/1/AH194611.pdf | access-date = 11 February 2017 | work = navy.mil | title = All Hands - The Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin; November 1946 | publisher = United States Navy Websites}}</ref><ref name="All Hands June 1946">{{cite web | url = https://media.defense.gov/2019/Apr/10/2002112329/-1/-1/1/AH194606.pdf | access-date = 11 February 2017 | work = navy.mil | title = All Hands - The Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin; June 1946 | publisher = United States Navy Websites}}</ref>

Reeves retired from the Navy as an [[Admiral (United States)|admiral]] in June 1947 and received the [[Navy Distinguished Service Medal|Distinguished Service Medal]] and [[Legion of Merit]] for his service. He spent his last years living in [[Maryland]] and died at the [[National Naval Medical Center]] in [[Bethesda, Maryland|Bethesda]], Maryland, on 25&nbsp;March 1948.<ref name="Valor awards for Joseph Mason Reeves">{{cite web | url = https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/9963#173625 | access-date = 17 June 2017 | work = valor.militarytimes.com | title = Valor awards for Joseph Mason Reeves | publisher = Militarytimes Websites}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Together with his wife Eleanor Watkins Reeves, Reeves had three children.

==In popular culture==

[[Jack Holt (actor)|Jack Holt]] portrayed Reeves in the 1949 film  ''[[Task Force (film)|Task Force]]''.

==Legacy==
A [[warship]] and two airfields have been named in honor of Reeves:
* The [[guided-missile frigate]] {{USS|Reeves|DLG-24}} was commissioned on 15&nbsp;May 1964 and received three [[battle star]]s for [[Vietnam War]] service. ''Reeves'' was reclassified on 30&nbsp;June 1975 as a [[guided-missile cruiser]] (CG-24). She was [[Ship decommissioning|decommissioned]] and stricken from the Navy Register on 12&nbsp;November 1993 at [[Pearl Harbor]], [[Hawaii]]. She was sunk as a target on 31&nbsp;May 2001 off [[Queensland]], [[Australia]].
* Joseph Mason Reeves Field ("Reeves Field") at [[Naval Air Station Lemoore]], California, was dedicated on 20&nbsp;November 1961.
* Naval Air Station [[Reeves Field San Pedro]] in California (later [[Naval Air Station Terminal Island]]), was dedicated during the 1930s. This airfield is no longer active.

==Awards and decorations==
Reeves earned the following awards and decorations:
{| style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
|-
|colspan="4"|[[File:Naval Aviation Observer Badge.png|256px]]
|-
|colspan="3"|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Navy Cross ribbon.svg|width=106|alt=}} {{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Navy Distinguished Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106|alt=}}
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Legion of Merit ribbon.svg|width=106|alt=}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Sampson Medal ribbon.JPG|width=106|alt=}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Spanish Campaign Medal ribbon.svg|width=106|alt=}}
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=1|type=service-star|ribbon=World War I Victory Medal ribbon.svg|width=106|alt=}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=American Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106|alt=}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=American Campaign Medal ribbon.svg|width=106|alt=}}
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=World War II Victory Medal ribbon.svg|width=106|alt=}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Commendatore OCI Kingdom BAR.svg|width=106|alt=}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Commendatore SSML Regno BAR.svg|width=106|alt=}}
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
|-
|colspan="15"|[[Observer Badge#United States Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard|Naval Aviation Observer Badge]]
|-
!1st Row
|colspan="5"|[[Navy Cross (United States)|Navy Cross]]
|colspan="7"|[[Navy Distinguished Service Medal]]
|-
!2nd Row
|colspan="3"|[[Legion of Merit]]
|colspan="3"|[[Sampson Medal]]
|colspan="3"|[[Spanish Campaign Medal|Navy Spanish Campaign Medal]]
|-
!3rd Row
|colspan="3"|[[World War I Victory Medal (United States)|World War I Victory Medal]] with Atlantic Fleet [[medal bar|clasp]]
|colspan="3"|[[American Defense Service Medal]]
|colspan="3"|[[American Campaign Medal]]
|-
!4th Row
|colspan="3"|[[World War II Victory Medal (United States)|World War II Victory Medal]]
|colspan="3"|[[Order of the Crown of Italy|Commander of the Order of the Crown of Italy]]
|colspan="3"|[[Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus|Commander of the Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus]]
|}

==Head coaching record==
{{CFB Yearly Record Start | type = coach | team = | conf = | bowl = | poll = no }}
{{CFB Yearly Record Subhead
 | name      = [[Navy Midshipmen football|Navy Midshipmen]]
 | conf      = Independent
 | startyear = 1907
 | endyear   = single
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship =
 | year         = [[1907 college football season|1907]]
 | name         = [[1907 Navy Midshipmen football team|Navy]]
 | overall      = 9–2–1
 | conference   =
 | confstanding =
 | bowlname     =
 | bowloutcome  =
 | bcsbowl      =
 | ranking      = no
 | ranking2     = no
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Subtotal
 | name       = Navy
 | overall    = 9–2–1
 | confrecord =
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record End
 | overall  = 9–2–1
 | bowls    = no
 | poll     = no
 | polltype =
 | legend   = no
}}

== Notes ==
{{Reflist}}

== References ==
:{{DANFS}}
*Grossnick, Roy et al. ''United States Naval Aviation 1910–1995.'' Washington, D.C.: Naval Historical Center, Dept. of the Navy, 1997.
** ''(Text available online from the [https://web.archive.org/web/20040820085506/http://www.history.navy.mil/branches/nhcorg4.htm Naval Aviation History Office/Branch] of the Naval Historical Center)''
*Wildenberg, Thomas. ''All the Factors of Victory: Admiral Joseph Mason Reeves and the Origins of Carrier Airpower.'' Washington, D.C.:

==External links==
{{Portal|Biography}}
{{Commons category}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20091021110425/http://www.militarymuseum.org/Reeves.html Californians and the Military: Admiral Joseph Mason "Bull" Reeves, USN (1872–1948)] By WO1 Mark J. Denger and LTC Norman S. Marshall, California Center for Military History. From the website of the California Military Museum, operated by the California State Military Department.

{{S-start}}
{{S-mil}}
{{Succession box|
 before=[[David F. Sellers]]|
 title=Commander in Chief, [[United States Fleet]]|
 after=[[Arthur J. Hepburn]]|
 years=26 February 1934 – June 1936}}
{{S-end}}
{{Navy Midshipmen football coach navbox}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Reeves, Joseph M.}}
[[Category:1872 births]]
[[Category:1948 deaths]]
[[Category:American military personnel of the Spanish–American War]]
[[Category:United States Navy personnel of World War I]]
[[Category:United States Navy World War II admirals]]
[[Category:United States Navy admirals]]
[[Category:United States Naval Academy alumni]]
[[Category:Naval War College alumni]]
[[Category:Navy Midshipmen football players]]
[[Category:United States naval aviation]]
[[Category:Burials at the United States Naval Academy Cemetery]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Navy Cross (United States)]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Legion of Merit]]
[[Category:Commanders of the Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus]]
[[Category:United States naval attachés]]
[[Category:People from Tampico, Illinois]]