Rear Admiral William E. Reynolds, USCG. Rear Admiral William Edward Reynolds (retired), former Commandant of the Coast Guard and its first officer to attain the rank of Rear Admiral, died January 26 in Baltimore at the age of 84. A combat ship commander in both Spanish-American War and World War I, Admiral Reynolds during his long career served on all the coasts of Continental United States and carried on extensive Polar explorations while in command of some of the Coast Guard's most celebrated cutters. He was the discoverer of the Arctic's Wrangle Island. Scientist, teacher, explorer, fighter, the Admiral was also a scholar, holding various University degrees. Admiral Reynolds was a member of an old Maryland family, resident in Montgomery County. Commandant 1919-1924.