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Shaun Thomas (Underdog), OSC
to remember
Reid, Beverly William, ENS.
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Casualty Info
Home Town New Orleans, LA
Last Address 2819Laurel Ave New Orleans, LA
Casualty Date Aug 24, 1942
Cause KIA-Body Not Recovered
Reason Air Loss, Crash - Sea
Location Pacific Ocean
Conflict World War II
Location of Interment Manila American Cemetery and Memorial - Manila, Philippines
Wall/Plot Coordinates (cenotaph)
Official Badges
Unofficial Badges
Additional Information
Last Known Activity:
ENS Reid was assigned to VF-6 aboard the USS Enterprise (CV-6). He took off from the ship on August 24, 1942. He flew one of the 27 VF-6 planes scrambled for the CAP over TF 17, and, as one of two pilots listed as missing, was probably shot down by a Zero in the ensuing action. ENS Reid was presumed missing in action. His remains were unrecoverable. On August 25, 1943 he was presumed killed in action.
Comments/Citation:
Service numbers: Enlisted - 2742159 Officer - 137130
Navy Cross
Awarded for Action During World War II
Service: Navy
Battalion: Fighting Squadron 6 (VF-6)
Division: U.S.S. Enterprise (CV-6)
General Orders: Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 310 (January 1943)
Citation: The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Ensign [then Machinist] Beverly W. Reid (NSN: 0-137130), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron SIX (VF-6), attached to the U.S.S. ENTERPRISE (CV-6), during the "Air Battle of Midway," against enemy Japanese forces on 4 - 6 June 1942. As a member of a combat patrol on 4 June, Machinist Reid sighted two enemy torpedo planes approaching the U.S.S. YORKTOWN. With bold aggressiveness and extreme disregard for his own personal safety, he intercepted and shot down the first craft, then pressed home his attack against the second until his persistent fire had rendered sufficient damage to cause the plane to burst into flames. Again, on 6 June, as a member of an attack group, he defied a tremendous barrage of concentrated anti-aircraft fire to strafe an enemy destroyer at close range and inflict considerable damage upon that vessel. His superb initiative and expert airmanship contributed materially to the success of our forces and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Guadalcanal Campaign (1942-43)/Battle of the Eastern Solomons
From Month/Year
August / 1942
To Month/Year
August / 1942
Description The naval Battle of the Eastern Solomons (also known as the Battle of the Stewart Islands and, in Japanese sources, as the Second Battle of the Solomon Sea took place on 24–25 August 1942, and was the third carrier battle of the Pacific campaign of World War II and the second major engagement fought between the United States Navy and the Imperial Japanese Navy during the Guadalcanal Campaign. As at the Battle of the Coral Sea and the Battle of Midway, the ships of the two adversaries were never within sight of each other. Instead, all attacks were carried out by carrier-based or land-based aircraft.
After several damaging air attacks, the naval surface combatants from both America and Japan withdrew from the battle area without either side securing a clear victory. However, the U.S. and its allies gained tactical and strategic advantage. Japan's losses were greater and included dozens of aircraft and their experienced aircrews. Also, Japanese reinforcements intended for Guadalcanal were delayed and eventually delivered by warships rather than transport ships, giving the Allies more time to prepare for the Japanese counteroffensive and preventing the Japanese from landing heavy artillery, ammunition, and other supplies.
