REIBE, Seaman 1/C Richard Dwight "Dick", WWII

REIBE

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 5/10/2013 at 23:46:09

The Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
Thursday, December 07, 1939, Page 5

HERE and THERE

THORNTON - Richard REIBE, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ben REIBE, arrived home Monday from Long Beach, Cal., for a 30 day's leave from the ship U. S. S. Mississippi. From here he will go to Seattle, Wash. to board his ship. Richard enlisted in the navy a year ago.

~ ~ ~ ~

The Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
Wednesday, December 08, 1943, Page 7

PARENTS LEARN SON IS KILLED

Richard Reibe, USN, Was 1st Reported Missing
Garner - Mr. and Mrs. Ben REIBE of Garner received word Tuesday morning that their son, Richard, was killed in action in the battle of the Savo Islands, in the South Pacific, Nov. 13, 1942.

Seaman REIBE was stationed on the U. S. S. Atlanta which was sunk in that battle. Shortly after the battle REIBE was listed as missing.

Richard REIBE was 22 years old, the only son of Mr. and Mrs. Ben REIBE and enlisted in August, 1938, and re-enlisted on Dec. 6, 1941. He held the rank of seaman 2nd class. Before enlisting Richard attended school in Garner and Thornton.

Surviving are his parents and 1 sister, Betty.

~ ~ ~ ~

The Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
Thursday, December 16, 1943, Page 7

GIVE MEMORIAL TO GARNER HERO

Richard Reibe Will Be Honored at Services

Garner - Plans have been completed of the memorial service honoring Richard REIBE who was killed in action in the battle of the Savo Island in the south Pacific. The service will be held Sunday afternoon, Dec. 18 at 2 p. m. in the Methodist church with the Rev. E. F. BROBERG in charge.

The American Legion will attend in a body with local servicemen who are home on leave. The Legion will furnish a color guard and the floral design for the altar.

The family has expressed the wish that no flowers be given but those desiring to give something to Richard's memory may offer a gift to the local church memorial fund. Gifts may be handed to the ushers at the church.

~ ~ ~ ~

The Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
Friday, June 30, 1944, Page 3

RECEIVE AWARDS.

Garner - Mr. and Mrs. Ben REIBE recently received the Purple Heart for their son, Richard Dwight REIBE, who lost his life on Nov. 13, 1942, in the service of his country. REIBE was stationed on the U. S. S. Atlanta in the south Pacific. They also received a certificate "In Grateful Memory of Richard Dwight REIBE" from the president of the United States.

NOTE: During the Battle of Savo Island, the USS Atlanta (CL-51) was struck by at least one torpedo in her forward engine room, fired by a Japanese destroyer. Relying upon auxiliary diesel power, she fell out of formation. In the confusion which followed (it was nighttime), she was struck by an estimation of nineteen 8-inch shells fired by the San Francisco, believing that they were firing upon a enemy ship. As a result, the fragments from the shelling killed many of the Atlanta's crew.

The following morning it was apparent that the Atlanta had been damaged beyond salvage. Consequently, the commander of the South Pacific Forces, Captain Jenkins, ordered that the ship be abandoned. She was sunk with a demolition charge west of Lunga Point in approximately 400 feet of water.

Using a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV), Dr. Robert Ballard discovered the Atlanta wreck site in 1992. However, poor visibility and strong ocean currents prevented an exploration of the wreck. In May of 2011, an experienced dive team from the Global Underwater Explorers was able to video tape the wreck site and complete a survey of the ship.

Transcriptions and note by Sharon R. Becker, April of 2013