CWO4 James (Big Daddy) Reeb USN
Jim passed from us at 82 years of age on 28 March 2025, in Meadville, Pennsylvania. He joined the Navy in January 1960 and attended Recruit Training at Great Lakes Naval Station, Illinois. After school at Imperial Beach, California, he completed Russian language training in Monterey, California.
In 1961, while en route NSGA Kami Seya, Japan, he married his high school sweetheart, Virginia Irene Goodwill, in Union City, Pennsylvania.
At Kami Seya, he served in all types of Direct Support (DIRSUP) operations, including flight duty with VQ-1 at NAS Atsugi, Japan, and deployments during 1963 aboard USS SWORDFISH (SS-193), USS SOMERS (DDG-34), and USS WILHOITE (DER-397).
Returning to Monterey, he completed Polish language training in June 1965 and was assigned to Naval Communications Station Sidi Yahia, Morocco.
In January 1967, Jim first received orders to USS PUEBLO (AGER 2) but, subsequent to the loss of USS PUEBLO, he was reassigned to Assistant Commander, Naval Security Group Command at Naval Security Group Activity Fort George G. Meade, Maryland,for DIRSUP duty. Two of his subsequent deployments were aboard USS QUILLBACK (SS 424) in 1967 and USS LAPON (SSN 661) in 1968.
USS Quillback
USS Lapon
In September 1970, while attending junior college under the ADCOP program in Pensacola, Florida, Jim was selected for and promoted to Chief Petty Officer.
Returning to Maryland, he was selected in October 1972 for at-sea Special Project duty. Promoted to Senior Chief Petty Officer (CTICS) in July 1975. He then served briefly at NSGD/NCS Rota, Spain before he was recalled to Maryland for another at-sea Special Project.
Jim was commissioned a CWO2 (temporary) in April 1977 and promoted to permanent Master Chief Petty Officer (CTICM) in July 1980.
After two tours at Fort Meade, separated by directing the Naval Security Group’s special language testing and training programs (1980-1983), he was promoted to CWO4 (temporary) in April 1984. Jim subsequently transferred to the Fleet Reserve as a Master Chief Petty Officer in April 1986.
In October 1988, Jim elected to accept permanent Navy retired status as CWO4 and was subsequently placed on the retired officers list. His military awards include:
- Defense Meritorious Service Medal
- Joint Service Commendation Medal
- Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Meda
- Navy Unit Commendation
- Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation
- Good Conduct Medal
- Navy Expeditionary Medal
- National Defense Service Medal
- Navy Rifle Marksmanship ribbon.
Jim served as a civilian Senior Intelligence Specialist with NIOC Suitland (formerly NIWA) between May 1987 and March 2008, during which time he received numerous inter-agency awards, commendations, and two Navy Civilian Meritorious Service medals.
At his retirement ceremony on 28 March 2008, Jim was gratefully and publicly identified by a former senior US Government official as the Russian speaker during a burial at sea ceremony on 4 September 1974 for six Soviet submariners who perished in the Pacific Ocean on 8 March 1968 aboard Soviet submarine K-129.
Among his many accomplishments, Jim was most proud of his selection to the rate of Chief Petty Officer in 1970.
Jim and his first wife, Virginia, lived in Severn, Maryland. In May 2022, Jim married Bridgette Sullivan. They resided in northwestern Pennsylvania.