Killed in Action On Ship That Was Bombed and Sunk While Screening a Transport off the Southern Coast of Sicily July, 1943.
Hubert Allison Reynolds, 27, gunner's mate first class of the United States navy has been declared as officially dead by James Forrestal, secretary of the navy after being listed for over a year as missing in action. Reynolds is the son of Mrs. May Reynolds of Leon and Harry Reynolds of Burlington. He was first reported as missing in action following the sinking of the ship on which he was serving. He was on the U.S.S. Maddox which was bombed and sunk while screening a transport area off the southern coast of Sicily July 10, 1943. The weather conditions at that time included a slight sea and a northeasterly wind, according to the secretary of the navy in his letter to Mrs. Reynolds.
The survivors remained in the water about an hour before they were picked up by a tug boat that searched the area thoroughly. In view of the length of time that elapsed without any indication Reynolds survived and because of the strong presumption that he lost his life at the time of the explosions or was drowned shortly thereafter, the navy department has declared him as deceased.
Reynolds leaves a wife, Doreen Reynolds, and a two year old son Roland, who live in Jamaica, New York. Mrs. Reynolds suffered so from shock with the notice of her husband missing in action, she has been a patient at the Triboro hospital since.