ROBERT D. REYNOLDS, LTJG, USN
Robert Reynolds '45
Lucky Bag
From the 1945 Lucky Bag:
Robert Durward Reynolds
Cuylerville, New York
Bob arrived on the Severn straight from the farm, with a way-stop at the University of Michigan. How this background fits him for a naval career is a mystery, but he really gets this nautical stuff. Besides fighting the Nav and Seamo profs to considerably better than a draw, he spent most of what we laughingly called free time on the water. He pulled a very lusty oar in the crew, and got his command ticket for yawls. Almost every afternoon found him somewhere on the water, either sweating over his oar or lolling on the helm of a Yawl. Fair winds and good luck to a real sailor.
Crew 4, 3, 1, '45, NA; Boat Club 4, 3, 1; Reception Committee 4, 3; French Club 4, 3, 1.
He was a member of the 19th Company staff (2nd set). The Class of 1945 was graduated in June 1944 due to World War II. The entirety of 2nd class (junior) year was removed from the curriculum.
Robert Durward Reynolds
Cuylerville, New York
Bob arrived on the Severn straight from the farm, with a way-stop at the University of Michigan. How this background fits him for a naval career is a mystery, but he really gets this nautical stuff. Besides fighting the Nav and Seamo profs to considerably better than a draw, he spent most of what we laughingly called free time on the water. He pulled a very lusty oar in the crew, and got his command ticket for yawls. Almost every afternoon found him somewhere on the water, either sweating over his oar or lolling on the helm of a Yawl. Fair winds and good luck to a real sailor.
Crew 4, 3, 1, '45, NA; Boat Club 4, 3, 1; Reception Committee 4, 3; French Club 4, 3, 1.
He was a member of the 19th Company staff (2nd set). The Class of 1945 was graduated in June 1944 due to World War II. The entirety of 2nd class (junior) year was removed from the curriculum.
Loss
Bob was one of ten crewmen lost when their PB4Y-2 patrol bomber was shot down by Soviet fighters off the coast of Latvia on April 8, 1950.
Other Information
From researcher Kathy Franz:
In June 1938 at the Livingston county high school track meet, Robert won the 880.
In the 1941 University of Michigan yearbook, Robert was Cadet Lieutenant (JG) in the Naval Reserve Officers Training corps.
His father was Paul, an officer manager in a salt mine, mother Christine, and brother Paul.
From the Democrat and Chronicle on April 12, 1950:
The father added that it was ironical that his son just had received orders to report back to Annapolis Naval Academy on next Aug. 7, for a course in electronics engineering.
Robert Durwood Reynolds was born July 20, 1921, in Cuylerville, a son of Paul E. and the late Christine Durwood Reynolds. He was graduated at Geneseo High School in 1938 and was salutatorian of his class. He began a course in engineering at the University of Michigan and joined the Naval ROTC there and took entrance examinations for Annapolis. He passed No. 9 on a list of 20 taken from the NROTC units of various universities. He entered Annapolis June 25, 1941, and joined the Navy crew and was stroke on the winning Varsity crew in the intercollegiate races in 1944.
Reynolds was married to Jane Cornelia Edmonds of Detroit at the Naval Academy chapel at Annapolis June 7, 1944, the afternoon of graduation day. They have a daughter, Christina Durwood Reynolds, 3 1/2.
At the end of the war Reynolds applied for flight training and was given instruction at Corpus Christi, Tex., and at Pensacola, Fla. He was awarded his Navy wings in May, 1947. Following instruction in multi-engined planes, he was assigned to Heavy Patrol Squadron 6 and spent the Winter in Newfoundland. In June, 1948, he was assigned to the naval air base at Port Lyautey, French Morocco, where he was stationed at the time of his last flight.
Reynolds has a brother, Lt. Comdr. Paul A. Reynolds, now stationed in Jersey City. Reynolds’ wife is at Lyautey.
Robert's Find A Grave page is here.
Distinguished Flying Cross
From Hall of Valor:
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Robert Durward Reynolds (NSN: 0-36853), United States Navy, for outstanding and heroic service in the performance of duty in an aerial flight as a member of the aircrew of a United States Navy Privateer airplane (PB4Y2) during a flight over the Baltic Sea, 8 April 1950. Taking off in an unarmed patrol plane from Wiesbaden, Germany, on 8 April, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Reynolds participated in a flight over the Baltic Sea. Performing his assigned tasks with courage and skill on this peacetime mission from which his plane failed to return, he rendered outstanding service to the Navy and to his country. His performance of duty under hazardous flight conditions reflects great credit upon Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Reynolds and upholds the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
General Orders: All Hands (June 1950)
Action Date: April 8, 1950
Service: Navy
Rank: Lieutenant Junior Grade
Every member of the crew was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross posthumously.
Related Articles
Jo Humes '45 was also in 19th Company.
Memorial Hall Error
Though his death was due to hostile action, Robert is not listed on the killed in action panel at the front of Memorial Hall.
The "category" links below lead to lists of related Honorees; use them to explore further the service and sacrifice of alumni in Memorial Hall.
