Eli Thomas Reich
| Eli Thomas Reich | |
|---|---|
Launching of USS Sealion, October 31, 1943
(L to R) Mr. William F. Reich, Mrs. Eli T. Reich, Mrs. William F. Reich, Lt.Cdr. Eli T. Reich |
|
| Born |
March 20, 1913 New York City |
| Died | November 30, 1999 (aged 86) Arlington, Virginia |
| Place of burial | Arlington National Cemetery |
| Allegiance |
 United States
|
| Service/branch |
 United States Navy
|
| Years of service | 1935–1973 |
| Rank |
 Vice Admiral
|
| Commands held | USS Sealion (SS-315) |
| Battles/wars |
World War II Vietnam War |
| Awards |
Navy Cross (3) Distinguished Service Medal (2) Legion of Merit Bronze Star Medal |
Vice Admiral Eli Thomas Reich (March 20, 1913 in New York – November 30, 1999 in Arlington, Virginia) was a highly decorated United States Navy officer and World War II submarine commander — the only one to sink a battleship during the war. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery (Section 30, Grave 950-A).
A 1935 graduate of the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, Reich attended the submarine school at New London, Connecticut, then in 1939 became executive officer and engineer on the first Sealion (SS-195). Sealion was the first US submarine damaged in World War II; it was bombed on December 10, 1941 while undergoing repairs at Cavite Navy Yard in the Philippines, and later scuttled, four men were killed and three others wounded during the bombing.
After Sealion was scuttled Reich served on the staff of the submarine commander at Corregidor and Bataan in the Philippines, escaping aboard Stingray (SS-186) before the surrender of U.S. forces there in the spring of 1942. He was executive officer aboard the Lapon (SS-260) in 1943, then in March 1944 assumed command of the second Sealion (SS-315).
Under Reich's command, Sealion II was credited with sinking the Japanese battleship Kongō, the only Japanese battleship sunk by submarine during World War II, the destroyer Urakaze, and a prisoner of war ship, Rayuko Maru. After sinking the POW ship, Sealion II surfaced and rescued 23 Australian and 31 British prisoners of war from the sea.[1]
...
Wikipedia