John Ward Reed

John Reed, upon completion of high school in 1932, enlisted in the United States Navy and thus commenced a 30 year career of service. His first duty assignment was as a Seaman Recruit aboard the Battleship, U.S.S. Pennsylvania. Shortly thereafter he received a presidential appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy. After graduation from the Naval Academy in 1938, he reported to the Heavy Cruiser, U.S.S. Northampton. In 1940 he entered the Submarine School in New London, Connecticut. He spent the entirety of World War II aboard submarines in the Pacific, serving on the U.S.S. S-45, Executive Officer of the U.S.S. Seadragon, Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. S-41 and Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. Sunfish.

His decorations and medals include the Navy Cross, Silver Star, Navy Unit Commendation, World War II Victory Medal and various Theater Medals. The Navy Cross will be donated to the Submarine Force Museum in Groton, Connecticut.

Post war he went on to earn his Masters Degree from George Washington University. Sea duty consisted of another submarine command on the U.S.S. Spikefish, Commanding Officer of the destroyer, U.S.S. Bache, Chief of Staff to Commander Carrier Division 14, Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. Pocono and Commanding Officer of Amphibious Squadron 8. Ashore he attended the Naval War College, taught at the U.S. Naval Academy, commanded the Advanced Undersea Weapons School in Key West Florida and the Amphibious School in Norfolk, Virginia and served in the P & 0 Division at NATO headquarters in Naples, Italy.

He goes to join his beloved wife of 65 years, Barbara Dyer Reed and his grandson David Matthew Mitchell. He was the loving patriarch of his family and was always available for help and advice. His wisdom and keen sense of humor will be missed by his four children: Barbara Reed Mitchell, Scott Alden Reed, Richard Emerson Reed and wife Laura, and John Ward Reed, Jr. and wife Pat as well as his eight grandchildren: Allison Landry and husband Gino, John Reed, Meredith Kash and husband Rob, Stephanie Moore, Alexis Reed, Rebecca Reed and Will Reed. He is also survived by his great grandson Tristan Matthew Kash.

Special thanks is due to the two kind and loving women, Shenelle Davis and Linda Horan, who helped make his final days comfortable.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 on Thursday, May 5th at Tabernacle United Methodist Church on Sandbridge Road with the Reverend Mr. Jack Davis presiding. Immediately following the service, all are invited to a luncheon in his honor in the Magnolia Room at Atlantic Shores Retirement Community on Dam Neck Road.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Princess Anne Rescue Squad or the Virginia Beach SPCA.

Arrangements under the direction of Smith & Williams Funeral Home/Kempsville, Virginia Beach, VA.