Robert Reinhardt

“Ted” was born in Newark, NJ on January 25, 1925. He attended Irvington High School and enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1942. As a World War II Veteran, he served in the US Navy as a Radarman, Second Class on a Destroyer Escort, the U.S.S Flaherty. The U.S.S. Flaherty was awarded the Presidential Citation Ribbon as a member of the Anti-Submarine Task Group Twenty-Two Point Three for extraordinary heroism in action against an enemy German submarine during the capture of that vessel off French West Africa, June 4, 1944. It was the first successful boarding and capture of an enemy man o’ war on the high seas by the United States Navy since 1815. The capture rendered invaluable service affecting subsequent operations in the Battle of the Atlantic and upheld the oldest and highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. Also taken as spoils were the top secret radio codes, transmission procedures, decoding devices, charts, route to home bases, and procedures. There were 14 unused torpedoes that were set to detonate to scuttle the sub that were disarmed upon boarding by U.S. Naval seamen. Upon interviewing the captives, it was determined that the Flaherty was saved a watery grave because she was backing up to retrieve survivors in the water, and the torpedo could not be targeted on an object moving in reverse.

He was awarded the Victory Medal European African Middle Eastern 2 Brass stars, American Theatre 1 Brass star. He was a plank man on the U.S.S. Flaherty, aboard for service at commissioning and decommissioning. Radar was a completely new technology, and he was assigned duties as a radar operator, a key to naval success during the war. More recently, he was honored during a Myrtle Beach Honor Flight trip to Washington, DC in August 2013 along with other U.S. Servicemen from all wars.

After his Honorable Discharge, he met and married Hilda Holland-Moritz in 1950. They lived in Iselin, NJ before moving to Irvington NJ, and then to Springfield NJ in 1965. He was very active in his church, Evangel Baptist Church, while it was located in Newark, NJ and participated in the moving and building of the new facility in Springfield. He was a proud journeyman electrician for 60 years in Local 164 of the IBEW.

They retired in 1987 and moved from Springfield, NJ to Little River, SC. Ted was active in his church, Ocean Drive Presbyterian in North Myrtle Beach, and enjoyed the company of his brothers in Christ at the Monday Morning prayer breakfast, and the Wednesday Men of Iron gatherings.

His wife Hilda passed into the Lord’s presence in September 2012. Ted is survived by his children, Norman (Brenda) Reinhardt, Robin Reinhardt; grandchildren Nicholle (Dale) Seiler, Victoria Reinhardt, Zachary Reinhardt; great-grandson Kai Seiler and great-daughter Anja Seiler along with numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 1 pm on Saturday, April 1, 2017 in Lee Funeral Home Chapel. The family will receive friends following the service.

A guestbook is available at www.leefhandcrematory.com.

Lee Funeral Home & Crematory of Little River/North Myrtle Beach is serving the family.

Philippians 4:13: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.