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U.S. NavyAwarded Posthumously

Thomas James Reeves

ConflictWorld War II

RankWarrant Officer

Year of Action1941

Unit/CommandUSS California (BB-44)

BirthplaceThomaston, Connecticut

Citation

For distinguished conduct in the line of his profession, extraordinary courage and disregard of his own safety during the attack on the Fleet in Pearl Harbor, by Japanese forces on 7 December 1941. After the mechanized ammunition hoists were put out of action in the USS California, Reeves, on his own initiative, in a burning passageway, assisted in the maintenance of an ammunition supply by hand to the antiaircraft guns until he was overcome by smoke and fire, which resulted in his death.

Branch: U.S. Navy Conflict: World War II Year of Action: 1941