Lt. Paul James Riley
United States Navy
memory of
Lt. Paul James Riley
United States Navy
killed 4 June 1942
Battle of Midway
awarded
The Navy Cross
and
The Distinguished Flying Cross
Greater love hath no man than this
that a man lay down his life for his friends
John 15:13
Topics and series. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Cemeteries & Burial Sites • War, World II • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Distinguished Service Cross/Navy Cross/Air Force Cross Recipients, the Military Order of the Purple Heart, and the Valor in Aerial Operations series lists.
Location. 34° 29.644′ N, 93° 3.993′ W. Memorial is in Hot Springs, Arkansas, in Garland County. It can be reached from the intersection of Greenwood Avenue and 5th Street, on the right when traveling east. The marker is located just inside the Greenwood Cemetery main north gate, where the cemetery road splits to circle the west side of the grounds. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 701 Greenwood Avenue, Hot Springs National Park AR 71913, United States of America.
this page online
Regionally, this memorial is in Arkansas’ Ouachita Mountains. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Upper South. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, the Louisiana Purchase, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Tarleton-Wall House (approx. 0.7 miles away); William H. Martin House (approx. 0.7 miles away); Purdum-Rainwater House (approx. 0.7 miles away); Oaklawn Park (approx. 0.8 miles away); Garland County Courthouse (approx. 0.9 miles away); Majestic Field (approx. 0.9 miles away); Jackie Robinson (approx. 0.9 miles away); The Ed. B. Mooney Tree (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hot Springs.
Also see . . .
1. Lt. Paul James Riley (Military Hall of Honor).
Excerpt: Paul enlisted in the Naval Reserve 12 Dec 1931 as an Apprentice Seaman. Later, he received(Submitted on January 9, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)a nomination from Arkansas to the Naval Academy and entered on 26 Jun 1933. Four years later he graduated with the USNA class on 03 Jun 1937, and was commissioned an Ensign.Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 13, 20242. Lt. Paul James RileyBas-relief sculpture on the marker.He began his mandatory sea duty tour on 29 June 1937 on board the aircraft carrier USS Saratoga (CV-3). He detached from USS Saratoga in June 1939 and began flight training at Naval Air Station, Pensacola. He completed his flight training and was designated a naval aviator 22 May 1940. He was promoted on 03 Jun 1940 to Lieutenant Junior Grade. On 28 July 1942 he reported for duty with Torpedo Squadron Six (VT-6) on board the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CV-6). He was promoted to Lieutenant on 6 Jan 1942. In the first five months of 1942, Enterprise and her Air Group participated in the attack on Gilbert and Marshall Islands on 01 Feb 1942. During this action VT-6 attacked enemy Japanese forces on Kwajalein. Lt Riley was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his actions against enemy Japanese forces on the Marshall Island group.
Early on the morning of 4 Jun 1942, pilot Lt Riley and his radioman-gunner ARM2 Edwin John Mushinski launched their torpedo plane from Enterprise along with other members of VT-6 and Air Group Six to attack the Japanese striking force that was near Midway. Separated from their covering fighter protection, VT-6, comprised of 14 torpedo planes, pressed their attack even though overwhelmed by superior numbers of Japanese fighter aircraft. One by one the planes of VT-6 were shot down. Of the 14 planes only four returned to Enterprise. Lt Riley and Petty Officer Mushinski did not return. According to the USS Enterprise Battle of Midway after action report dated 8 Jun 1942, Lt Riley and ARM2 Mushinski were recorded as personnel losses in battle. Their remains were unrecoverable. They were missing in action on 04 Jun 1942 and presumed dead on 5 Jun 1943.
In addition to the Distinguished Flying Cross, Lt Riley was also awarded (posthumously) the Navy Cross, The Purple Heart, the Presidential Unit Citation ribbon, American Defense Service Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with one bronze star, and the World War II Victory Medal.
2. USS Riley (Wikipedia).
Excerpt: USS Riley (DE-579) was a Rudderow-class destroyer escort in the United States Navy during World War II. She later transferred to the Republic of China Navy and served as Tai Yuan (DE-27). The ship was finally scrapped in 1996.(Submitted on January 9, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)Namesake Paul James Riley was born on 12 April 1913 at Hot Springs, Arkansas. He enlisted in the United States Naval Reserve on 12 December 1931 and was appointed midshipman on 26 June 1933. Commissioned Ensign 4 years later, he was designated naval aviator on 22 May 1940 and on 28 July he reported for duty with Torpedo Squadron 6 on board USS Enterprise. Promoted to Lieutenant on 6 January 1942, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for "heroic conduct in aerial combat during the operations of U.S. forces against the Marshall Islands", on 1 February 1942. During the Battle of Midway on 4 June he was killed as he "pressed home his attack" against the Japanese Fleet "in the face of a terrific barrage of antiaircraft fire." He was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross.
3. Lieut Paul James Riley (Find A Grave).
William J. Sims
friend of
Lt. P. J. Riley
(Greenwood Cemetery, Hot Springs, Garland County, Arkansas, USA) Excerpt: Riley is listed KIA on the muster rolls of the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise CV-6. His body was never found. For his feats of heroism, the Navy named a ship USS Riley (579) DE in his honor. He was awarded the Navy Cross and the Distinguished Flying Cross. A large memorial has been placed in Greenwood Cemetery to honor him.(Submitted on January 9, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 4, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 8, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 232 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on January 9, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
