He joined the U.S. Navy from New York in 1895[1] and by September 8, 1910, was serving as a chief watertender on the USS North Dakota (BB-29).

[2] On that day, while the North Dakota was conducting tests using oil as fuel, an explosion occurred, killing three sailors and endangering the ship.

After ensuring the safety of the ship, they then searched for and removed the bodies of the three sailors killed in the initial explosion.

[3] For these actions, Reid and the five other men were awarded the Medal of Honor a month later, on October 4.

[2] Reid's official Medal of Honor citation reads: For extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession during the fire on board the U.S.S.