GM3C James "Jim" Ralph Reid Jr.
U.S. Navy

Background
James Ralph Reid Jr. was born November 15, 1922 to parents James Ralph Reid and Annie Madge Shankle Reid in Albemarle, NC. Nicknamed "Jim". He graduated Central High School in Charlotte, NC and was an outstanding student athlete.

Wartime History
Reid enlisted in the U.S. Navy as a seamen with serial number 6575399. By 1945, promoted to the rank of Gunner's Mate Third Class (GM3C) and assigned to Naval Group, China. On August 21, 1945 two Chinese junks commanded by Lt. Livingston Swentzel Jr manned by 7 Americans and 20 Chinese guerrillas en route from Haimen to Shanghai are attacked by Japanese junk (with a crew of 83 men). In a 45-minute action, the Chinese craft, directed by Lieutenant Swentzel, engage the enemy with bazookas, machine guns, and grenades. Upon boarding the Japanese craft, the Allied force finds 45 dead and 35 wounded. The victory cost four Chinese killed, and one American and five Chinese wounded. For their heroism above and beyond the call of duty, Lt. Livingston Swentzel Jr. and Gunner's Mate 3rd Class James Ralph Reid, Jr. earned the Navy Cross in what probably proves to be the last surface action of World War II.

Navy Cross
For his actions on August 21, 1945 Reid earned the Navy Cross on February 26, 1946.

Navy Cross "The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Gunner’s Mate Third Class James Ralph Reid, Jr. (NSN: 6575399), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving with Naval Group (China) when, as a crew member of an Allied junk on 21 August 1945, they were attacked by a heavily-armed Japanese junk. Though his craft was under heavy fire, and the enemy’s first round from a 75-mm. pack howitzer carried away the foremast of Gunner’s Mate Reid’s junk, he coolly and deliberately carried a bazooka run to the bow where in an extremely exposed position he scored four direct hits on the enemy vessel. He fired and reloaded his weapon in a highly skillful manner with utter disregard for his own personal safety. When his junk had closed to within 50 feet of the enemy, Gunner’s Mate Reid further distinguished himself by climbing upon the rail and hurled a grenade into the hatch of the enemy craft inflicting heavy casualties and loss of life, whereupon the enemy ran up a white flag of surrender. Gunner’s Mate Third Class Reid’s coolness under heavy fire, his skillful handling of his weapons, extreme courage and distinguished heroism were highly commendable and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

Postwar
Reid moved to Frederick, Maryland and worked for the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) until he retired.

Memorials
On January 6, 2010 died at age 87 in Frederick, Maryland. On January 6, 2010 buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery in section 60 site 9309.

References
Hall of Valor - James Ralph Reid , Jr. (Navy Cross citation)
Arlington National Cemetery (ANC Explorer) - Reid, James Ralph (grave photos)
FindAGrave - James Ralph “Jim” Reid Jr. (photos, obituary, grave photo)

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