Book Review: ‘All the Factors of Victory: Admiral Joseph Mason Reeves and the Origins of Carrier Airpower’

Abstract

Admiral Joseph Mason Reeves, the first United States Navy (USN) aviation-qualified officer to reach flag rank, has been referred to as ‘the father of carrier warfare’. It is somewhat ironic that an officer that achieved public notoriety during his service has been subjected to such limited scholarly attention in the historiography. Thomas Wildenberg should be commended for shining further light on Admiral Reeves – described by the book’s author as ‘an extremely talented officer, well versed in all aspects of naval science’ (p. 265) – given his pivotal influence on the development of US naval aviation. The contribution of Reeves has perhaps been undervalued by his pioneering work on naval aviation being conducted during peacetime, even though the legacies of his efforts were evident during the Second World War. His eventual specialism in naval aviation was mutually beneficial. Reeves undoubtedly helped to advance carrier aviation, but the increasing prominence and importance of naval aviation may also have helped to progress his career.