Skip to main content
USNI Logo USNI Logo USNI Logo
Donate
  • Cart
  • Join or Log In
  • Search

Main navigation

  • About Us
  • Membership
  • Books & Press
  • USNI News
  • Proceedings
  • Naval History
  • Archives
  • Events
  • Donate
USNI Logo USNI Logo USNI Logo
Donate
  • Cart
  • Join or Log In
  • Search

Main navigation (Sticky)

  • About Us
  • Membership
  • Books & Press
  • USNI News
  • Proceedings
  • Naval History
  • Archives
  • Events
  • Donate

Sub Menu

  • Essay Contests
    • About Essay Contests
    • CNO Naval History - Professional
    • CNO Naval History - Rising
    • Naval Intelligence
  • Current Issue
  • The Proceedings Podcast
  • U.S. Naval Institute Blog
  • Submission Guidelines
  • Contact Proceedings
    • Media Inquiries
  • All Issues
U.S. NAVY

Rear Admiral Reeves as a captain observing flight operations with an unidentified officer (likely Commander John H. Towers)
U.S. NAVY

Sub Menu

  • Essay Contests
    • About Essay Contests
    • CNO Naval History - Professional
    • CNO Naval History - Rising
    • Naval Intelligence
  • Current Issue
  • The Proceedings Podcast
  • U.S. Naval Institute Blog
  • Submission Guidelines
  • Contact Proceedings
    • Media Inquiries
  • All Issues

Admiral With Wings

By Thomas Wildenberg
September 1998
Proceedings
Article
View Issue
Comments

Rear Admiral J. M. "Bull" Reeves is responsible in many respects for the way carrier aviation still operates.

When Captain Joseph M. Reeves arrived on board the USS Langley (CV-1) in October 1925, none on board could have foreseen that this white bearded, 53-year-old was destined to be the first "air admiral" to command the U.S. Fleet. Known as "Bull" since his football-playing days at the U.S. Naval Academy, Reeves knew how to get the most out of his men. A shrewd and innovative tactician, he was an officer "trained to the gun, but not wedded to it."

As Reeves climbed the gangway, he may have felt a tinge of deja vu, for the network of steel girders under the flight deck did not hide the familiar lines of the former collier Jupiter (AC-3), his first command. In this new assignment, Reeves was Commander Aircraft Squadrons, Battle Fleet, and the "Covered Wagon," as the Langley euphemistically was called, was to serve as his headquarters at sea.

Premium Member-Only Content

Don't miss out. Become a member of the Naval Institute today.

Join Today

Already a member? Sign in to continue reading.

Thomas Wildenberg

More Stories From This Author View Biography

Digital Proceedings content made possible by a gift from CAPT Roger Ekman, USN (Ret.)

Quicklinks

Footer menu

  • About the Naval Institute
  • Books & Press
  • Naval History Magazine
  • USNI News
  • Proceedings
  • Oral Histories
  • Events
  • Naval Institute Foundation
  • Photos & Historical Prints
  • Naval Institute Archives

Receive the Newsletter

Sign up to get updates about new releases and event invitations.

Sign Up Now
Example NewsletterPrivacy Policy
USNI Logo White
Copyright © 2022 U.S. Naval Institute Privacy PolicyTerms of UseContact UsAdvertise With UsFAQContent LicenseMedia Inquiries
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
Powered by Unleashed Technologies