RIEVE-ROLAND

Rear Admiral Roland Rieve was born on March 29, 1919 in Baltimore, Maryland.  After completing high school, he entered the U.S. Naval Academy in 1937.  He graduated in February 1941, was commissioned an Ensign, and his first assignment was aboard the heavy cruiser USS Quincy.  On August 9, 1942, Quincy battled a large Japanese fleet in the Battle of Savo Island.  During the battle Quincy was struck in a forward magazine and the resulting explosion blew away the ship’s bow.  As Quincy commenced to capsize and sink, Rieve donned a life jacket and walked down the side of the ship to be rescued after five hours in the water.  He remained in the Navy until retiring on July 1, 1975 with the rank of Rear Admiral after 34-years of naval service.  During his long service he served as a member of the Supply Corps with a variety of assignments including six ships and at various naval shore establishments which included as Auditor General of the Navy, and Commander Service Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet.

Following his military service, RADM Rieve worked in the oil and financial industries until retiring in 1986.  He died at the age of 100 in Carlsbad, California.

Submitted by CDR Roy A. Mosteller, USNR (Ret)