Govan Bert Reagan was born on his parents' farm near Spearsville during the devastating drought and famine of 1896-1897. His parents were farmers who were sharecropping at the time of his birth.

Reagan was a Private First Class in Company B, 28th Infantry, First Division, United States Army. His company bore the brunt of the German attack at the Battle of Cantigny, May 28-30, 1918, the first American battle and offensive of World War I. The Germans spent much of May, 1918 pounding the Americans with artillery and gas. The Division's 28th Infantry, in which PVC Reagan served, led the American offensive against the Town of Cantigny as the assault began on May 28. After their success, the 28th Infantry successfully withstood and turned back several German counterattacks.

At 5:30 a.m. on 30 May 1918, the Germans launched their final counterattack to retake Cantigny. Their attack came in two waves, both broken by the 28th Infantry's rifle, machine gun, and artillery fire.

PVC Govan Bert Reagan suffered a severe wound while defending the American line from the final German counterattack to retake Cantigny. He died from his wounds later that day.