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Contact Info
Home Town Brooklyn, New York
Last Address Rolling Hills Estates Los Angeles, Calif.
Reid P. Fiala (Pete) graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Class of 1931.
He was the commander of the destroyer Remey in October, 1944, when the Japanese navy challenged their American counterparts for control of Leyte Gulf. The Remy was credited with firing the first salvos in the battle that eventually destroyed what was left of the Japanese fleet.
When LCdr Fiala commissioned the Remey he was the last lieutenant commander to command a destroyer. All other skippers that followed him were full commanders. The USS Remey earned 10 battle stars during World War II. Battles included: Marshall Islands, Mariana Islands, Philippines and Bombardment of Japan.
RAdm. Reid P. Fiala was awarded the Navy Cross for his role in the fight for control of the Surigao Strait in the Philippines and the Bronze Star for battles off Saipan and Tinian during World War II.
Fiala's last command was of the Terminal Island Navy Station in 1958 and retired as a U.S. Navy Rear Admiral in 1959.
Other Comments:
Awards and Citations
While commanding the USS Remey DD-688, Commander Reid Fiala was awarded the Navy Cross, Bronze Star Medal w/Combat "V", and the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal w/10 stars.
Navy Cross
Awarded for actions during the World War II
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Commander Reid Puryear Fiala, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the Destroyer U.S.S. REMEY (DD-688), in action against the enemy on 24 and 25 October 1944, in action against major units of the enemy Japanese Fleet during the Battle for Surigao Strait, Philippine Islands, on 24 and 25 October 1944. Within United States Destroyer units deployed in a flanking maneuver as tactically disposed PT boats opened fire on a formidable column of Japanese battleship, cruisers and destroyers advancing under cover of darkness towards our waiting forces, Commander Fiala placed the REMEY in an advantageous striking position within close range of the enemy force. Although silhouetted by the illuminating glare of star shells and under fire, he launched his torpedoes with precise timing in the first sudden coordinated attack, surprised the enemy and rendered him vulnerable to the smashing blows of our Naval units. Subsequently retiring without damage from the furious engagements which resulted in the sinking of two Japanese battleships and three destroyers before effective return fire could be brought to bear upon our Task Force, Commander Fiala by his forceful leadership, contributed materially to the decisive defeat of the enemy force. His courage and devotion to duty throughout reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.
General Orders: Commander Amphibious Forces: Serial 00394 (December 26, 1944) Action Date: October 24 & 25, 1944 Service: Navy Rank: Commander Company: Commanding Officer Division: U.S.S. Remey (DD-688)
Fiala was awarded the Bronze Star for battles off Saipan and Tinian.
Mariana and Palau Islands Campaign (1944)/Battle of Philippine Sea
From Month/Year
June / 1944
To Month/Year
June / 1944
Description The Battle of the Philippine Sea (June 19–20, 1944) was a major naval battle of World War II that eliminated the Imperial Japanese Navy's ability to conduct large-scale carrier actions. It took place during the United States' amphibious invasion of the Mariana Islands during the Pacific War. The battle was the last of five major "carrier-versus-carrier" engagements between American and Japanese naval forces, and pitted elements of the United States Navy's Fifth Fleet against ships and aircraft of the Imperial Japanese Navy's Mobile Fleet and nearby island garrisons.
The aerial part of the battle was nicknamed the Great Marianas Turkey Shoot by American aviators for the severely disproportional loss ratio inflicted upon Japanese aircraft by American pilots and anti-aircraft gunners. During a debriefing after the first two air battles a pilot from USS Lexington remarked "Why, hell, it was just like an old-time turkey shoot down home!" The outcome is generally attributed to American improvements in pilot and crew training and tactics, technology (including the top-secret anti-aircraft proximity fuze), and ship and aircraft design. Although at the time the battle appeared to be a missed opportunity to destroy the Japanese fleet, the Imperial Japanese Navy had lost the bulk of its carrier air strength and would never recover. During the course of the battle, American submarines torpedoed and sank two of the largest Japanese fleet carriers taking part in the battle.
This was the largest carrier-to-carrier battle in history.
My Participation in This Battle or Operation
From Month/Year
June / 1944
To Month/Year
June / 1944
Last Updated: Mar 16, 2020
Personal Memories
Memories USS Remey earned 10 battle stars during World War II. Battles included: Marshall Islands, Mariana Islands, Philippines and Bombardment of Japan.
