Joseph M. Reeves
| Joseph M. Reeves | |
|---|---|
Admiral Arthur J. Hepburn, left, assuming command of United States Fleet from Admiral Joseph M. Reeves, June 24, 1936
|
|
| Birth name | Joseph Mason Reeves |
| Nickname(s) | "Bull" |
| Born |
November 20, 1872 Tampico, Illinois |
| Died | March 25, 1948 (aged 75) Bethesda, Maryland |
| Place of burial | United States Naval Academy Cemetery |
| Allegiance |
 United States of America
|
| Service/branch |
 United States Navy
|
| Years of service | 1894–1936 1940–1946 |
| Rank |
 Admiral
|
| Commands held | United States Fleet |
| Battles/wars |
Spanish–American War World War I World War II |
| Awards |
Navy Cross Distinguished Service Medal |
| Sport(s) | Football |
|---|---|
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| 1907 | Navy |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 9–2–1 |
Joseph Mason "Bull" Reeves (November 20, 1872 – March 25, 1948) was an admiral in the United States Navy, who was an early and important supporter of U.S. Naval Aviation. Though a battleship officer during his early career, he became known as the "Father of Carrier Aviation" for his role in integrating aircraft carriers into the Fleet as a major part of the 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 Secretary of the Navy. He retired again in December 1946 with the rank of full admiral.
Joseph Mason Reeves was born on November 20, 1872 in the village of Tampico, Illinois.
He received an appointment in 1890 to attend the Naval Academy, where he became a football hero. In addition to his on-field heroics, he is credited with the invention of the modern football helmet, in which he had a shoemaker create for him after he was told by a Navy doctor that a kick to his head could result in "instant insanity" or death. Reeves graduated from the Academy in 1894.
Upon graduation, Reeves was assigned to the cruiser USS San Francisco (Cruiser No. 5). He served in the battleship USS Oregon (BB-3) during the Spanish–American War, taking part in the action against Admiral Pascual Cervera y Topete's fleet at Santiago in June and July 1898.
After the start of the 20th century, Reeves served in San Francisco and on the battleships USS Wisconsin (BB-9) and USS Ohio (BB-12) in addition to tours ashore at Newport and Annapolis, where he was an instructor in the Naval Academy's Department of Physics and Chemistry, 1906–08. He served as the Academy's Head Football Coach in 1907, guiding the team to a 9–2-1 record and a 6–0 victory over Army.
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