First Lieutenant Reeves was the pilot of an AT-6D Mosquito observation aircraft with the 6148th Tactical Air Control Squadron, 6147 Tactical Air Control Group. On 20 August 1950, while flying an air-ground control mission, his aircraft was lost northwest of Waegwan (Uiryong). His remains were recovered.

Reeves 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.