Early life Joseph Mason Reeves was born on 20 November 1872 in the village of
Tampico,
Illinois. He received an appointment in 1890 to attend the
United States Naval Academy in
Annapolis,
Maryland, where he became a
football hero. In addition to his on-field heroics, he is credited with the invention of the modern
football helmet, which he had a
shoemaker create for him after being told by a U.S. Navy doctor that another kick to his head could result in "instant insanity" or death. Reeves graduated from the academy in June 1894.
Naval career 1894–1902 Upon graduation, Reeves was assigned to the
protected cruiser . After the then-mandatory two years at sea prior to being commissioned as an
officer, he was commissioned with the rank of assistant engineer in 1896. and Reeves was detached that month and returned to the U.S. Naval Academy, where he was an instructor in the Department of
Chemistry and
Physics from 1906 to 1908. Reeves served on the
Navy's General Board from June 1929 to June 1930. Fifteen months later he became Senior Member of the Board of Inspection and Survey, Pacific Coast Section. Another tour at Mare Island Navy Yard followed and in June 1933 he became Commander, Battleships,
Battle Force, with the temporary rank of
vice admiral. In July 1933 he was assigned as Commander, Battle Force,
United States Fleet, with the rank of
admiral. On 26 February 1934, Reeves was designated Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Fleet. He held this command until June 1936, when he was ordered to
Washington, D.C., to serve on the General Board. He held the Board position until 23 November 1936, and retired on 30 November 1936.
World War II , left, assuming command of
United States Fleet from Admiral Joseph M. Reeves, 24 June 1936.
World War II broke out in
Europe on 1 September 1939, and Reeves was recalled to active duty on 13 May 1940, advanced to vice admiral on the retired list, and attached to the Office of the
United States 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
Allies during World war II, 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 an
admiral in June 1947 and received the
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 25 March 1948. ==Personal life==