page_title: Joseph M. Reeves
section_title: Recall during World War II
hierarchical_section_title: Joseph M. Reeves / Recall during World War II
caption_attribution_description: English: Admiral Arthur J. Hepburn, left, with Admiral Joseph M. Reeves, 1936
context_page_description: Joseph Mason "Bull" Reeves was an admiral in the United States Navy and 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.
context_section_description: The admiral's retirement was short-lived, as his nation again needed his services to fight another World War. Reeves was recalled to active duty on May 13, 1940, advanced to vice admiral on the retired list, and was attached to the Office of the 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 February 1942 to 8 November 1945, and Chairman of the Joint Munitions Allocation Committee from 11 January 1944 to 2 September 1945.
  In diplomatic relations with the senior military representatives of the United Nations, Admiral 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.
  Reeves retired from the Navy as Admiral in June 1947 and received 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, on March 25, 1948.
  Together with his wife Eleanor Watkins Reeves (1873–1947), Reeves had three children: Joseph M. Reeves Jr. (1898–1973), William C. Reeves (1908–1934) and Ruth D. Reeves.
caption: Admiral Arthur Japy Hepburn, left, assuming command of United States Fleet from Admiral Joseph M. Reeves, June 24, 1936.
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