Lee Walter Reininger
PFC Lee W. Reininger was a Marine Corps gunner who flew with VMSB-241.
He was shot down and reported missing in the battle of Midway on 4 June 1942.
Branch
Marine Corps Regular
Service Number 277556
Current Status
Remains not recovered.
Pursuit Category
Based on circumstances of loss, this individual is considered permanently non-recoverable.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth*
January 19, 1921
at Denver, CO
Parents
Marius “Morris” Reininger (d. 1930)
Edna (Montgomery) Reininger (d. 1937)
Education
Details unknown
Occupation & Employer
Details unknown
* According to Marine Corps records. Census data suggests that Reininger was born in 1924.
Service Life
Entered Service
November 14, 1939
at Denver, CO
Home Of Record
Englewood, CO
Next Of Kin
Brother, Mr. Marius D. Reininger
Military Specialty
Radioman / Gunner
Primary Unit
VMSB-241
Campaigns Served
Midway
Individual Decorations
Distinguished Flying Cross
Purple Heart
Additional Service Details
—
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
Private First Class Lee Reininger was a Marine radioman and gunner with VMSB-241, a scout-bomber squadron based at Midway Island in 1942. He was part of the First Section, First Division, and in April of 1942 was assigned to the plane flown by the squadron commander, Major Lofton R. Henderson.
At 0610 hours on 4 June 1942, VMSB-241 took off from Midway and rendezvoused at “Point Affirm” – a safe distance from the airfield, out of the way of an incoming Japanese strike force. A radio message sent them on course to attack an enemy carrier; a two-hour flight brought them within sight of the IJN Hiryū. The carrier sent up a wall of flak, and her fighters quickly climbed to engage the unescorted American bombers.
Canny Japanese pilots quickly identified Henderson’s SBD-2 #2129 as the lead aircraft, and concentrated their fire. PFC Truell Sidebottom, flying on Henderson’s wing, reported the action that followed:
The Zeros swarmed after [Henderson], piling on him in threes and fours. Major Henderson fought back with every trick he knew, but he was too far outnumbered. He was hit. We saw it.
But – and this is something I won't forget – his gunner, a likable kid, always full of fun, didn't know it. The other gunners tried to wave and point to the pilot's cockpit, so he'd know he had to take over the controls, but the young kid just laughed. Somehow he didn't catch on.
The plane swerved sharply. The kid looked startled and grabbed his gun as he lost balance. I don't think he ever had time to take the controls. The plane went into a spin. That was the last we ever saw of him.
The SBD caught fire and fell out of control. Witnesses reported seeing one parachute blossom in its wake; whether Henderson or Reininger will never be known, for no American survived to be captured at Midway. Both Marines were officially declared dead on 5 June 1943.
Burial Information or Disposition
Shot down at sea; remains not recovered.
Next Of Kin Address
Address of brother, Mr. Marius Reininger.
Lee’s alternate next of kin was his sister, Mrs. Gwendolyn Morehouse, of 422 Newton Street, Denver
Location Of Loss
Reiniger was shot down at an unspecified point after departing from Midway.
Comment from Sunny Fontano (Moorhouse)
21 January 2013
Lee Walter Reininger was my uncle, Thank you for this infomation.
Reply on 5 February 2014
Hello,
Can you tell me where Lee’s parents,Morris and Edna, are buried? I am also seeking Edna’s maiden name. I need these to complete Lee’s Find-A-Grave memorial.
Thanks!
Rick Lawrence, MSgt., USMC/USAFR (RET)
marine55rick@yahoo.com
Lee Walter Reininger Was my Great Uncle.,Brother to my Grandmother Gwendloyn Rose Moorehouse. His Father Marius”Morris” Reininger and Mother Edna Dasey Reininger (Maiden name Montgomer) are both buried in unmarked Graves at Fairmount Cemetery in Denver Colorado this information is available at find a grave.com Thank you..for all the information
Hi, Lee Reininger was my great uncle. Have you collected any other info on the family? I’m gathering as much as I can. Thanks, Pete Vieira
Hey Pete,
Lee was my great uncle as well. My mother is Jolyn R (Moorehouse) Brown. She was just a little girl when Lee passed away. She remembers him well, however. Lee’s parents moved to Denver from Philadelphia when my grandmother Gwen was very young. Lee was her little brother. Her father was a druggist/pharmacist and had his own shop in Denver. Edna D Reininger was Lee’s mother and she died in a traffic accident just a matter of months before my mom was born. Edna was struck by a truck while walking home from shopping. She had the right of way and it was not her fault. Anyway, I am also doing research into the family history. But you have family in Texas (us!), Colrado and California at the very least.
Best,
Joel
Hey Pete,
I did some more digging and found out that your mom and my mom are first cousins. Mom gave me the names: Marlita and Bonnie. She said they were Bob’s daughters.
Comment from Jolyn Brown
1 January 2014
My name is Joryn Brown I am sister to Sunny Fontano and daughter of Gwendolyn Moorehouse. Lee Reiiniger was my Uncle also, thank you for the information given.
Aunt Jolyn, This is your niece Karen (Moorehouse) Lucero, your brother Dixon’s oldest daughter. It’s been years, would love to hear from you. I am in Albuquerque.
Hi Karen, this is Joel, your cousin. I am Jolyn’s youngest son. My mom said she would love to talk to you.
Hi My Name is Britney I’m Rene moorehouse’s daughter I’ve recently been doing research on my family tree I have tons of photos that David Kent moorehouse my uncle left me including a picture of Gwendolyn if anyone has more information please reply also my father gave me my middle name after Lee