HOMETOWN HERO

 

Born in Cambridge, OH and raised in Caldwell, James was a man of honor, tradition, community, and grit. He graduated from Shenandoah High School in 2003, attended Hocking College, and then married Diana in 2008. He enjoyed being around friends and family, and his infectious smile always lit up the room. James always enjoyed returning home to Caldwell to visit his friends and family and left an enormous mark on anyone fortunate enough to meet him. He's remembered as an honorable, caring, and loving man who lived his life with a deep sense of duty and a heart full of compassion.

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PROTECTOR FIRST, WARRIOR ALWAYS

 

James E. Reyher enlisted into the US Navy at 24 as a Gas Turbine Systems Technician (Mechanical). He reclassified to pursue one of the most dangerous and difficult careers in the military as a Navy Diver in May 2008 and completed Navy Diver Second Class School the following year. Upon reaching the rank of Navy Diver First Class Petty Officer in 2013, ND1 Reyher served at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility Detachment Everett, Washington, from 2009-2012.mil10.pngDuring this tour, he was selected for the position of Leading Petty Officer, where he led, directed, and supervised multiple diving operations, including the change out of the starboard Auxiliary Propulsion Unit on the USS Ford (FFG 54), and the USS Lincoln (CVN 72) stave bearing replacements on number two and three shafts. James was also a member of the renowned Battle Damage Repair team and deployed to US Pacific Command, where he trained Royal Thai Navy Divers on surface-supplied diving operations. In April 2012, ND1 Reyher transferred to Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit Two, Virginia Beach, VA, where he gained the reputation of one of the hardest-working divers in the command. He qualified as a Diving Salvage Warfare Specialist (DSWS), advanced watch stations, trained fellow divers in what he learned, and was an integral member of the U1105 Naval Archeology mission and public relations mission in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.​His awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals (two awards), the Navy Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Meritorious Unit Commendation.​James E. Reyher shared our lives for many years, and we will hold his memory as a keepsake in our hearts. He will never be forgotten.