Reed Thomas Ramsey
PFC Reed T. Ramsey was a Marine aviator who flew with VMSB-231 during the Guadalcanal campaign.
He was reported missing in action on 28 September 1942.
Branch
Marine Corps Regular
Service Number 289734
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
The DPAA has not publicized this information.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
April 5, 1917
at Oregon, MO
Parents
James Edward Ramsey
Wickey (Campbell) Ramsey
Education
Details unknown
Occupation & Employer
Air hammer operator
Rock quarry
Service Life
Entered Service
July 30, 1940
at St. Louis, MO
Home Of Record
Bolckow, MO
Next Of Kin
Parents, James & Wickey Ramsey
Military Specialty
Aviation radioman / gunner
Primary Unit
VMSB-231
Campaigns Served
Midway (with VMSB-241)
Solomon Islands / Guadalcanal
Individual Decorations
Distinguished Flying Cross
Purple Heart
Additional Service Details
Ramsey was credited with one aerial victory at the battle of Midway.
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
PFC Reed Ramsey was one of the most experienced rear-seat gunners flying over Guadalcanal in the fall of 1942. A decorated veteran of Midway – a battle where survival alone was exceptional – Ramsey also had the distinction of a confirmed kill for shooting down a Zero in June of 1942. After being reassigned to VMSB-231, Ramsey participated in the Solomon Islands campaign with the Cactus Air Force, flying with Second Lieutenant Dale Moody Leslie. The young Missourian added another unique experience on 27 September 1942, radioing the coordinates of a Marine battalion trapped on Hill 84, and providing covering fire as they evacuated from a fiasco dubbed “Little Dunkirk.”
On 28 September 1942, Leslie and Ramsey took off from Henderson Field for a routine radar check and to drop bombs on targets of opportunity. Their SBD-3 Dauntless failed to return to base, and the two Marines were feared shot down.
Lieutenant Leslie returned to American lines on 4 November 1942 – bearded and emaciated, with an incredible story to tell. After being shot down on 28 September, he landed behind Japanese lines and faced an extraordinary ordeal walking through miles of jungle. He finally encountered some friendly natives who alerted a Dutch missionary and finally brought him to safety.
Leslie also brought back the story of Reed Ramsey’s final moments.
“I never even saw that Zero until I heard my gunner shooting at it. But the Zero was on our tail, and while [Ramsey] put into him the shots that eventually brought him down, he put three bursts into us. Those bursts killed my gunner and set our ship on fire.
“As soon as I saw we were about to crash, I bailed out. I was about 700 feet up when I jumped, and I landed in the sea…”
A Japanese pilot of the Tainan kokutai, PO3 Toyoo Moriura, claimed credit for two Wildcats and an SBD – presumably Leslie’s – on 28 September 1942. Moriura would become an ace before falling in action himself on 25 October.
Burial Information or Disposition
None recorded. Ramsey was declared dead on 29 September 1943.
Next Of Kin Address
Address of parents, James & Wickey Ramsey.
Location Of Loss
Approximate location of the crash, about 15 miles from Henderson Field.
What a somber story… To have been such the hero yet not to be recovered… It does not appear he was awarded any medals for bravery in action? I can only imagine the anguish and hate in his parents hearts.
Ramsey did get the Distinguished Flying Cross for Midway (as did all the gunners, both living and dead) but apparently no extra recognition for getting a Zero, or for September 27. Possibly if he had survived with Lt. Leslie, he would have been decorated. It’s a shame he didn’t even appear to get the promotion his first pilot requested.
I’ve noticed that in many cases, the pilots receive the higher award if any – e.g. every pilot who flew at Midway received the Navy Cross, while every gunner got the DFC (although they were also recommended for the Navy Cross). Also, apparently at this point in the Guadalcanal campaign there was a decision made to limit the number of NCs awarded – supposedly why Lt. Lees received the DFC instead of the Navy Cross before his death.
I found Ramsey’s story particularly fascinating; I knew his name from researching Midway, and Lt. Leslie’s name from researching Hill 84 – I had no idea that the two stories would come together like that.
Reed was my uncle. His next older brother was my Dad. I was not born until 1943, therefore never knew him.
We named our oldest son Reed Thomas. He was a marine also. Sadly, we lost him in 1999 in an airplane accident (cropduster). Our Reed is buried in the same cemetery as Uncle Reed’s parents(my grandparents), My parents, Uncle Reeds oldest brother (Emerson) & wife and several other Ramseys.
I once communicated with Lt. Leslie via letter in which he confirmed the events mentioned above.
I have gathered all the memorbilia surrounding Uncle Reed and share it with other members of the family immediately.
If you have more info, I would appreciate hearing it.
Thanks
tom
Tom I have never heard any of this about Uncle Reed, I hope to get the info you have someday.
I am Alta Ramsey Freeman’s grandson Dean is my Dad.
Mike,
I have a whole bunch of stuff on Uncle Reed. Both hard copy and in folders on my computer.
You are welcome to all of it. I will try to figure out a way to get it to you.
As you may know, our oldest son was named Reed Thomas Ramsey also. We lost him in a plane accident 17 years ago, just shy of his 30th birthday. He is buried in the cemetery at Graham, next to Dad & Mom. So there are 2 Reed Thomas Ramseys memorialized in that cemetery. Also James and Wickey (grandparents) are buried there. As well as Uncle Emerson (Alta’s brother) aunt Eva (sister).
As item of interest, a lot of the old Ramsey ancestors are buried in the Brodbeck cemetery just south of New Point down towards Oregon. The first Ramsey (Thomas) and a bunch of kids. He settled in Holt county in about 1847. I have the original land grant of the 1st 40 acres he bought from the government.
We need to hook up someday and trade all this ancestry info.
Cousin Tom
Yes I’ve to the brodbeck cemetery often just 3 miles South of me and then also the Fairview cemetery 3 miles North of me a lot of the Campbells are there. My uncle Donald (Reed) Freeman is named after Reed. It would be great to get together. you could email the info to freeman@ofmlive.net or mail or thumb drive to me. I did not know a lot of this. I did know on the back of James and Wickey’s stone at Graham also has Reed’s Info. ggod to hear from you. Mike
I am also named after Reed. My mother was Charlene, Alta Freeman’s daughter. I had heard bits and pieces of his story over the years and was glad to run across this information. I consider it an honor to bear his name.