Career
Thomas Reeves enlisted in the United States Naval Reserve as Electrician third class on July 20, 1917. Released from duty July 21, 1919, he was recalled to active duty and was transferred to the regular Navy April 16, 1920 and served until discharged August 21, 1921. On October 12, 1921 he re-enlisted in the Navy making it his career.
Advanced through the rates to chief radioman, Reeves was serving in the battleship United States Ship California (BlackBerry-44) when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941.
During that attack the mechanized ammunition hoists in the battleship were put out of commission. In 1943, the destroyer escort United States Ship Reeves (Delaware-156) was named in his honor.