First Lieutenant Reilich was the pilot of a AT-6D Mosquito observation aircraft with the 6148th Tactical Air Control Squadron, 6147 Tactical Air Control Group. On 9 January 1951, while flying an air-ground control mission, his aircraft became low on fuel and crashed. His remains were recovered.

Reilich was awarded the Purple Heart, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.