Raymond M Reiland
1940-1947 / U.S. Navy
Pearl Harbor
Ray Reiland was possibly the last Pearl Harbor survivor in Iowa. He passed away on February 13, 2022, ten days short of his one hundredth birthday. Ray was laid to rest with military honors at the English River Church of Brethren Cemetery South English, IA. Ray was born to Salier and Elizabeth on February 23, 1922 in Fairacres, New Mexico. He was brought to Iowa by his father as an infant after the unexpected death of his mother, where he was raised by relatives.
In 1940, Ray enlisted in the Navy to serve his country and learn a trade as an electrician. He was assigned to the USS Raleigh stationed in Pearl Harbor. On the morning of December 7, 1941 he had planned to go to morning mass, then see a movie in Honolulu. A few minutes before 08:00 am he saw a low flying plane coming from the northwest. Within seconds Raymond recognized the blazing red rising sun on the wings of the Japanese torpedo bomber. The blue sky was filled with hundreds of planes. The Raleigh shook under his feet as its portside was hit by a torpedo, water and fish were everywhere. What he remembered most was not watching Japanese planes bomb ships and the airfield, but watching sailors swim for the safety of Ford island. By the end of the day, the United States had suffered 2403 dead, 1177 on the USS Arizona alone, 188 planes destroyed, and 14 ships sunk or damaged. Two days after the attack Ray saw a sailor’s body floating face down, bobbing in the water beside his ship. He asked himself why did that happen to him and not me? That question would haunt him for a long time. After the war ended, he returned home to Iowa and married. He and his first wife raised five children, Paul, Tom Rick, Ann and Mick. After his first marriage ended in divorce, he met and married Catherine Dorsam, to whom he was married for the next 42 years until her death in 2021.
Ray’s training in the Navy prepared him for his lifelong career as an electrician and repairman. He and his wife, Catherine enjoyed many hobbies including traveling, dancing, playing cards with friends, and enjoying their family. He never took his life for granted.
Fire Controlman Second class Raymond Mathew Reiland was discharged Honorably February 16, 1947.
Medals earned: Asiatic Pacific with one star, American Area, American Defense with one star, Philippine Liberation, Good Conduct Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal.
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