Clifford Cay Reeves

PFC Clifford Cay Reeves
22nd Marines - 6th Marine Div
Nov. 24, 1913 - June 1, 1945

Clifford Cay Reeves was born on March 24, 1913, to Robert and Pearl Reeves. At the time of his birth, Robert was 35 and Pearl was 27. Clifford was the fifth of seven children in the Reeves family, who had homesteaded in Meade County, Kansas, in 1905. In 1921, the family relocated to Cimarron, where they established a blacksmith shop.

Clifford graduated from Cimarron High School with the Class of 1932. Outside of school, he could often be found working in the family’s blacksmith shop, a fixture of the Cimarron community for over two decades.

Private First Class Clifford Reeves was killed in action on June 1, 1945, during the Battle of Okinawa, at the age of 32. His older brother, Morace L. Reeves, was also killed in the war, falling in combat on Leyte on November 21, 1944. The remains of both brothers were returned to Cimarron and laid to rest side by side in the local cemetery on April 24, 1949.

On June 1, 1945, the 22nd Marine Regiment of the 6th Marine Division was actively engaged in operations during the Battle of Okinawa. Following intense combat in May, including the capture of Sugar Loaf Hill, the regiment had advanced into the city of Naha, the capital of Okinawa. By late May, they had reached the Asato River, which bisected the city. After crossing the river, the 22nd Marines continued their push into western Naha, encountering resistance from Japanese forces. Their efforts were part of a broader strategy to secure the city and prepare for subsequent operations targeting the Oroku Peninsula, a stronghold of Japanese naval forces. It was quite likely this was the situation PFC Clifford Reeves was involved in when he was killed.

The 22nd Marine Regiment, part of the 6th Marine Division, played a pivotal role in the
Battle of Okinawa during World War II. The battle commenced on April 1, 1945,
when U.S. forces landed on Okinawa, aiming to secure a strategic base for
operations against mainland Japan.

Initial Landings and Northern Advance

On D-Day, the 22nd Marines landed on Green Beach, securing the left flank of the landing force. They advanced northward, capturing the Yontan airfield and moving
towards the Motobu Peninsula. By April 13, they reached Hedo-Misaki, the
island’s northern tip, effectively securing northern Okinawa.

Engagements in Southern Okinawa

Subsequently, the 22nd Marines were redeployed to the island’s southern sector, encountering fierce resistance. A notable engagement was the assault on Sugar Loaf Hill, a
strategically significant elevation. The regiment faced intense combat, with
heavy casualties reported during this operation.

Leadership and Sacrifice

The regiment’s leadership demonstrated exceptional valor. Colonel Harold C.
Roberts, who assumed command during the battle, was killed by a Japanese sniper on June 18, 1945. Lieutenant Colonel August Larson then took command, leading the regiment through the final stages of the campaign. Additionally, Major Henry A. Courtney Jr.,
serving as the executive officer of the 2nd Battalion, 22nd Marines,
posthumously received the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions during the
battle.

Conclusion

The 22nd
Marine Regiment’s contributions were instrumental in the eventual capture of
Okinawa. Their efforts, marked by determination and sacrifice, significantly
impacted the Pacific Theater’s outcome during World War II.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE 22nd MARINES

A brief history of the 22nd Marines by Harold P. Hammann, Past President of the 22nd Marines Association (http://22dmarines.org)

On 1 June 1942 the 22nd Marines (Reinforced), Colonel John T. Walker, commanding, was established at Camp Elliott, California (Linda Vista Tent Area). This was a Regimental Combat Team (RCT), or one third of a Division.

Initial deployment to the Pacific Theater of Operations began on 18 June 1942. The first group sailed from San Diego on the troop transport Heywood, and arrived at Apia, on the Island of Upolu, Western Samoa on 29 June 1942. On 19 July 1942 the balance of the 22nd Marines (Reinforced) boarded the SS Lurline and sailed from San Diego, arriving at Apia on 29 July 1942.

The Regiment, then, was overseas less than two months after it was established. After about 16 months of island defense and extensive training, the regiment was ready for combat. The Regiment started its movement to the Hawaiian Islands for replacements and additional training on 11 November 1943. The Regiment engaged the enemy for the first time in the battle of Eniwetok Atoll in the northwest area of the Marshall Islands. The initial assault commenced on 18 February 1944. Successful capture of the three main Islands: Engebi, Eniwetok and Parry occurred in a matter of six days. Mission accomplished, the Regiment embarked on 6 April 1944 for Guadalcanal for Rest, Recuperation, Replacements and Training (RRR&T).

At Guadalcanal the Regiment became part of the 1st Provisional Marine Brigade, Brigadier General Lemuel C. Shepherd, Jr. commanding. The other half of the Brigade was the 4th Marines (Reinforced). After a few months of training on Guadalcanal, the Brigade was ready. It did not take long for the assignment to come. This battle was to be for the Island of Guam, in the Marianas. On 21 July 1944 the Brigade attacked the southern part of the Island near the City of Agat. Within approximately 20 days the island was declared free of all organized resistance.

On 23 August 1944 the 22nd Marines sailed once again for Guadalcanal and more RRR&T. Then the 22nd Marines, 4th Marines and the newly established 29th Marines, along with all support groups, were joined to form the 6th Marine Division, Major General Shepherd commanding.
Next came the Battle of Okinawa, part of the Ryukus Islands, and the only Japanese homeland captured during World War II. This battle started on 1 April 1945 and lasted until 21 June 1945.

After considerable time in the occupation of China to assist United States citizens who had been stranded there, to arrange for the repatriation of Japanese, military and civilian, and attend to the maintenance of order and public services, the 6th Division was disbanded on 26 March 1946.