Herbert D. Riley

Herbert D. Riley

Born	(1904-12-24)December 24, 1904 Baltimore, Maryland
Died	January 17, 1973(1973-01-17) (aged 68) Kent Cove, Maryland
Buried at	United States Naval Academy Cemetery, Annapolis, Maryland
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Navy
Years of service	1927–1964
Rank	Vice Admiral
Commands held	USS Makassar Strait (CVE-91) USS Coral Sea (CVA-43) Carrier Division One
Battles/wars	World War II Pacific War Guadalcanal campaign Okinawa campaign Cold War
Awards	Distinguished Service Medal
Relations	John H. Towers (father-in-law)

Herbert Douglas Riley (December 24, 1904 – January 17, 1973) was a vice admiral of the United States Navy. A naval aviator, his career included service in World War II and the Cold War, command of aircraft carriers, and various staff assignments.

Riley was born on December 24, 1904 in Baltimore, Maryland. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, in 1927. After serving aboard the battleship USS New Mexico (BB-40), he underwent flight training and became a naval aviator.

During the 1930s, Riley served as a pilot in Scouting Squadron Six (VS-6) embarked aboard the light cruiser USS Cincinnati (CL-6), Scouting Squadron Five (VS-5) aboard the light cruiser USS Richmond (CL-9), Patrol Squadron One (VP-1), Patrol Squadron Ten (VP-10), Fighting Squadron Three (VF-3) aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ranger (CV-4), and the aviation unit of the heavy cruiser USS Portland (CA-33). He then served a tour at Naval Air Station Anacostia in Washington, D.C., as a pilot for VIPs and while stationed there married the daughter of the Chief of the U.S. Navy's Bureau of Aeronautics, Rear Admiral John H. Towers. From 1940 to 1941, Riley was on the staff of Commander, Carrier Division One and on the staff of Commander, Patrol Wings.