The courage of McCoy Reynolds,
a young Pippa Passes native, led
him to make man's noblest sacrifice
for his country in World War II:
he was killed in action in a battle
at Guadalcanal. In recognition of
his bravery the U.S.
government consecrated his memory with the highest military honor
every given to any Knott Countian.
Two years after his death, a
World War Ii ship was named for
Reynolds, an honor bestowed on few
Kentuckians. McCoy Reynolds was born Sept.
23, 1916, in Pippa Passes. He was one of nine children
(six sons and three daughters) of Tilden and
Roselle Reynolds. McCoy attended school at Troublesome Creek
and Hindman High School. Described by those who knew him a
very
likeable young man who loved life, he was particularly fond of
music,
and playing guitar and harmonica were among his favorite pastimes.
At age 26, he enlisted with the
Marines in Louisville on
January 23, 1942. Only 10 months later, on Nov.
25, 1942, Reynolds gave his life for his country while fighting to
defend Henderson Field in Guadalcanal. According to military
accounts, he was "killed in action after boldly exposing
himself to destroy a Japanese machine gun nest."
Reynolds' company was prevented
from further advancement by the
enemy machine gun nest, so a volunteer was called fro to destroy it. McCoy volunteered, and crept within 20 feet of the Japanese before
a sniper in a tree killed him with a hand grenade.
In recognition of his selfless
devotion to corps and country, Reynolds
was posthumously awarded the Silver Star, Purple Heart, the Asiatic
Pacific Campaign Medal, and the President Unit citation.
On Feb. 22, 1944, the U.S. Navy
launched a destroyer escort warship
named after the Knott hero--the DE-440 USS McCoy Reynolds. The
ship, about 100 feet shorter than the conventional destroyer, housed
14 officers and 209 crew members. The USS McCoy Reynolds was awarded
four battle stars, one each for sinking two Japanese subs, and
one each for the Palau and Okinawa invasions and conquests. Corbett Mullins
May 21, 2003 |