William Reynolds (1815-1879) - Find a Grave Memorial

Civil War Union Naval Officer. In 1831, at the age of 18, he was appointed a Naval midshipmen by Pennsylvania congressman (and later president) James Buchanan. Just prior to the Civil War, Reynolds served in the Hawaiian Islands in the Pacific Ocean. During the Civil War, he served as a commander on the "USS New Hampshire" in the Union Navy's blockade of southern ports. After the war, he served in a number of posts, rising to the rank of Rear Admiral. Reynolds was given command of the Asiatic Station (which is equivalent to serving as Commander-in-Chief of the Pacific Fleet in the contemporary Navy) until his retirement on December 10, 1877. He died in Washington, D.C. and was buried next to his younger brother, Civil War hero General John F. Reynolds.