Before Midway, a small and fractional U.S. Navy faced an overwhelmingly larger and battle-hardened Japanese Combined Fleet. Weeks later . In this position, he traveled to London and Edinburgh. His tour of sea duty ended in 1921, and he spent the next three years with the Navy Departments Bureau of Engineering and the Doctrine of Aircraft board. Privacy Policy, Admiral Raymond Spruance served in US Navy during. Up until this time, the Japanese had captured island after island as they . He served as an instructor at the Naval War College from 1935 to 1938. Raymond Ames Spruance (July 3, 1886 - December 13, 1969) was a United States Navy admiral during World War II.He commanded U.S. naval forces during one of the most significant naval battles that took place in the Pacific Theatre: the Battle of the Philippine Sea.He also commanded Task Force 16 at the Battle of Midway, comprising the carriers Enterprise and Hornet. Armed with this information, Fletcher ordered Spruance to launch a strike at the Japanese with Enterprise and Hornet while holding Yorktown in reserve in case the other Japanese carriers were discovered. [citation needed]. The Navy, by law, was limited to four Fleet Admirals; three of these appointments were obvious: Ernest King, Chester Nimitz and William Leahy. At Midway, Spruance's force inflicted on the Imperial Japanese Navy its worst setback in 350 years. From 1952 to 1955 Spruance served as the American ambassador to Philippines. This saw Allied forces move against Okinawa in the Ryukyu Islands. . His seagoing career was extensive, including command of five destroyers and the battleship Mississippi. He withdrew his ships westward, still hoping to draw Spruance into a trap. Admiral Yamamoto commanded the combined invasion fleet from aboard his flagship Yamato. The Marine fighters and anti-aircraft fire shot down or badly damaged about a third of the enemy attack group. Nimitz had no battleships left after the Pearl Harbor attack, and after the Battle of the Coral Sea there were only two flattops ready for action, Enterprise and Hornet. Richmond Kelly Turner and Harry W. Hill and Marine Generals Holland M. Smith and Julian C. Smith. Spruance was calculating and cautious. The gloomy reports from Nagumo and his other commanders led Yamamoto to suspend his assault on Midway. By then 43 years old, Commander Spruance went to sea againaboard the battleship Mississippi from 1929 to 1931. In this state the Japanese carriers would be extremely vulnerable. HistoryNet.com is brought to you by HistoryNet LLC, the worlds largest publisher of history magazines. All four of Japans aircraft carriers were sunk, devastating Japans ambitions in the Pacific. Furthermore, Spruance ordered that the air squadrons fly directly to their targets before assembling every squadron into a proper formation, gambling that the attacks would leave the enemy carriers in disarray and delay the launching of their own counterstrike. The struggle by the U.S. Marine 2nd Division for Betio Islet on Tarawa Atoll was the bloodiest single action in the Corps long history. Japanese Admiral and a pioneer in aircraft carrier warfare. The three-day operation was the most extensive ever undertaken by carriers. He disliked personal publicity and had a reputation for freezing reporters who invaded his privacy. He was then 55. He also held several engineering, intelligence, staff and Naval War College positions up to the 1940s. Admiral Spruance explained the U.S. victory at Midway in the following way. Known for his calm in moments of crisis, Admiral Spruance became one of the U.S. Navy's largest assets in World War II. Things did not look hopeful for Spruance and his force on the eve of Midway. His father wanted him to go to West Point, but young Raymond yearned to go to sea. serious damage on the islands installations. At Midway, dive bombers from the Enterprise crippled sank four larger carriers of the Imperial Japanese Navy. His torpedo bombershaving switched to bombs for the attack on Midwaywere away, and most of his protective fighters were out on patrol. He graduated from the U.S. Raymond A. Spruance emerged from the battle one of the greatest admirals in American naval history". I am lazy, and I never have done things myself that I could get someone to do for me. The fourth was a choice between Halsey and Spruance, and after much deliberation, eventually Halsey was appointed in December 1945. Spruance was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, and in May 1943 he was promoted to vice admiral. "[16] Both Fletcher and Nimitz recommended Spruance for the Distinguished Service Medal for his role in the battle. 2015. Calm, collected, decisive, yet receptive to advice; keeping in his mind the picture of widely disparate forces, yet boldly seizing every opening. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Analyzing Information How does Admiral Spruance explain the U.S. victory The Battle of Midway was fought June 4-7, 1942, during World War II (1939-1945) and was the turning point of the war in the Pacific. Admiral Raymond A. Spruance, U.S. Navy, April 1955 . The Japanese intercepted this and soon started sending messages that "AF was short on water. Spruance was portrayed by Glenn Ford (a US Naval Reserve officer himself) in the 1976 film Midway, and by Jake Weber in the 2019 film Midway. In the course of a two-hour interview, he stood or walked about all the timenot restlessly, but slowly and deliberately. How can these and the knowledge they provide be used to spread His Word? Japanese fleet in charge of landing army units on Midway. During the attacks, the Japanese lost twelve warships, thirty-two merchant ships, and 249 aircraft. A graduate of the US Naval Academy, Spruance commanded cruisers during the early months of the conflict and first came to prominence for helping lead American forces to victory at the pivotal Battle of Midway in June 1942. Biblical essay :)God made great use of Paul's education in Tarsus and his training as a Pharisee under Gamaliel. US Navy SBD dive bombers at the Battle of Midway, June 4, 1942. Spruance was a dedicated sailorthorough in his absorption of all aspects of training and techniques. When she went to sea in 1916, he went with her. He was the united states navy fleet admiral in the some of the The battle of Midway was one of the most decisive battle in th Admiral Yamamoto Isoroku, Japanese fleet commander, chose to i Then it was back to Pebble Beach. United States Admiral in command of naval units on the Pacific Theatre in 1942. When Yorktown was struck at Midway, however, Fletcher transferred his flag to the cruiser Astoria and placed Spruance tactically in charge. The US intelligence services could predict the way the Japanese carriers and planes would be approaching the battle. [32] Wouk writes in his book that "Spruance escaped [the Japanese fleet admiral] Yamamoto's terrible trap by acting on perfect military instinct. Although some historians and many newsmen have written many words about Admiral Raymond A. Spruance, U.S. Navy and his brilliant career in the Pacific in World War II, the complete story of this reserved and self-effacing man is now being told for the first time by one of his close friends and wartime associates. Though the fourth, Hiryu, managed to launch bombers which caused critical damage to Yorktown, it too was sunk when American aircraft returned later in the day. The battle commenced on the morning of June4; the first several waves of U.S. attack aircraft were badly beaten, both near Midway and at sea around the Japanese task force. Naval History and Heritage Command, "Biography of Raymond A. Spruance Press Release July 24, 1941, United States Navy Department", "Adm Spruance's Fitrep after Battle of Midway", Citation, Navy Cross, Raymond A. Spruance, "Admiral Raymond Ames Spruance America's Navy", "News Release: Navy Names Two New Guided Missile Destroyers", "War & Remembrance (Part 3) (May 26 July 25, 1942)", "War & Remembrance (Part 3) (May 26 July 25, 1942) 1988", Pacific Crucible: War at Sea in the Pacific, 19411942, The Conquering Tide: War in the Pacific Islands, 19421944, Twilight of the Gods: War in the Western Pacific, 19441945, United States Ambassadors to the Philippines, Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Raymond_A._Spruance&oldid=1137739908, Ambassadors of the United States to the Philippines, High Commissioners of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Recipients of the Distinguished Service Medal (US Army), Recipients of the Navy Cross (United States), Recipients of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, Articles with dead external links from July 2022, Articles with dead external links from December 2020, Articles with permanently dead external links, Short description is different from Wikidata, All Wikipedia articles written in American English, Articles with unsourced statements from October 2016, Wikipedia articles incorporating text from the Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 6 February 2023, at 05:43. "Admiral Raymond Spruance". Retiring to Pebble Beach, CA, he died there on December 13, 1969. Historian Samuel Eliot Morison believed he was one of the greatest fighting and thinking admirals in American naval history. Admiral Spruance was buried with full honors alongside Admirals Nimitz and Kelly Turner in a military cemetery overlooking San Francisco Bay. Spruances fleet had prevented the Japanese from reinforcing the Saipan garrison. After three days of pre-invasion bombardment, Marines landed on Roi Islet and captured it the same day. He was a diligent, neat and gentle boy. You can specify conditions of storing and accessing cookies in your browser, How does Admiral Spruance explain the U.S. victory, The Brown case began what trend in American For his actions, Spruance received the Distinguished Service Medal and, later that month, Nimitz named him as his Chief of Staff and Aide. In July 1907 he transferred to the battleship Minnesota and was aboard her during the historic around the world cruise of the Great White Fleet from 1907 to 1909. That same year he received a new assignment: assistant machinery inspector at the Newport News, Va., dry dock, where the battleship Pennsylvania was being outfitted. 6 (June 1955): 658-659. Fletcher would command Task Force 17, but the task force flag ship, USSYorktown, had been badly damaged at the Battle of the Coral Sea and the formation's other carrier, Lexington, had been sunk, but at Nimitz's behest Yorktown was patched-repaired in "rush" time purposefully to join the Midway operation.[11]. Spruances performance at Midway so impressed Admiral Nimitz that he made him his chief of staff. But the American commander, who could be daring and resourceful when necessary, could also exhibit shrewd caution when his experienced mind sensed an ambush. Though this gamble paid off, Enterprise air squadrons would pay a heavy price, flying in piece-meal and mostly without fighter escort. During this period, Spruance served aboard USS Minnesota (BB-22) during the cruise of the Great White Fleet. Then followed two years as assistant chief of staff to the commander of naval forces in Europe; a year of study at the Naval War College in Newport, R.I., where he completed the senior course; and two years of duty in the Office of Naval Intelligence. [25], Spruance was President of the Naval War College from February 1946 until he retired from the Navy in July 1948. HistoryLearning.com. Having been promoted to rear admiral in December 1939, he was directed to assume command of the Tenth Naval District (San Juan, PR) in February 1940. Both commanders hoped for a classic battle with the Imperial Japanese Navy, but only Mitschers carrier planes were able to reach the enemy. Then U.S. dive bombers from Spruance's Enterprise flew to Nagumo's fleet of four carriers which, fatefully, were without air cover. Morisons text refers to Spruance, victor at Midway. The U.S. casualties were 199 planes, 128 flight personnel and damage to four warships. Hiryu class Japanese aircraft carrier that was the flagship of the second detachment of the carrier strike force. With Okinawa's fall in June, Spruance rotated back to Pearl Harbor to begin planning the invasion of Japan. That December he was elevated to rear admiral, and in February 1940 he was placed in command of the 10th Naval District (Caribbean), with his headquarters in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Hickman, Kennedy. At the end of the Second World War Congress created a limited number of five-star ranks for the Army and the Navy, designated General of the Army and Fleet Admiral. This was followed by an assault on Kwajalein in the Marshall Islands on January 31, 1944. Japanese propagandists pointed to their success in the Aleutians to offset the defeat at Midway, but actually the Aleutians were of little strategic value. In the first months of World War II in the Pacific, Spruance commanded the four heavy cruisers and support ships of Cruiser Division Five from his flagship, the heavy cruiser USSNorthampton. Most common sailors were proud to serve under Halsey; most higher-ranking officers preferred to serve under Spruance. While one was at sea, the other would be planning their next operation. Ambassador to the Philippines in 1952-55. The Fifth Fleet commanders citation read: Responsible for the operation of a vast and complicated organization which included more than 500,000 men of the Army, Navy and Marine Corps, 318 combatant vessels and 1,139 auxiliary vessels, [he] directed the forces under his command with daring, courage and aggressiveness. On April 22, Task Force 58s guns and planes supported the U.S. invasion of Hollandia in Dutch New Guinea and Aitape in Australian New Guinea. United States airbase targeted by the Japanese in preparation to invade Hawaii. Born on 3 July 1886, Spruance graduated from the US Naval Academy in 1906. In October 1946 he was awarded the Armys Distinguished Service Medal for his exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services during the capture of the Marshall and Mariana islands. [3] After the war, Spruance was appointed President of the Naval War College, and later served as American ambassador to the Philippines. The Japanese felt that they had won the encounter. Admiral Nimitz praised Spruance for a remarkable job. Spruance, Raymond A. British Royal Navy units helped support the landings. It was his job to protect the landing force.[8]. The first Japanese airstrike was followed by another. He was the grandfather of legendary theatre director Anne Bogart. Raymond Ames Spruance (July 3, 1886 December 13, 1969) was a United States Navy admiral during World War II. The Americans were able to count on Yorktown, however, after patching her up in an astonishing two days instead of 90 days as had been estimated. All three were eventually scuttled. [28], His achievements in the navy were well known, but himself much less. Admiral Raymond Ames Spruance was a key American naval commander who served in the Pacific Theater of World War II. Early in his career he was This gave rise to the description of Spruance as "an Admiral's admiral". It was the only aircraft carrier in the presence of Midway Island to survive the dive bomber attack and launched two and a half waves of planes against the United States Navy. He was responsible for leading the 5th Fleet into the pivotal Battle of the Philippines Sea, nicknamed the 'Great Marianas Turkey Shoot' because a total of 365 Japanese planes were brought down. Naval Academy in 1906,[5] and received further, hands-on education in electrical engineering a few years later. Meanwhile, Task Force 58 was busy in the forefront of clearing the Japanese from the 600-mile-long Marianas chain. "World War II: Admiral Raymond Spruance." Spruance himself directed a task group of battleships, cruisers and destroyers that left the main body to go after Japanese ships that were fleeing Truk, sinking the light cruiser Katori and destroyer Maikaze. Japanese Admiral in command of the second division of the carrier strike force based on Aircraft Carrier IJN Hiryu. Promoted to captain the following year, he departed to take the position of Chief of Staff and Aide to Commander Destroyers, Scouting Fleet in May 1933. They met practically no opposition because most of the Zeros were still close to the water, not having had time to climb and counterattack. Spruance was detached from command of the Fifth Fleet on November 8, 1945, and he relieved Fleet Admiral Nimitz as commander in chief of the U.S. Pacific Fleet and Pacific Ocean areas. His chance would come. Yorktown and Task Force 17 were under the command of Rear Adm. Frank Jack Fletcher. In July 1941, his responsibilities were expanded to include oversight of the Caribbean Sea Frontier. During the Midway engagement which resulted in the defeat of and heavy losses to the enemy fleet, his seamanship, endurance, and tenacity in handling his task force were of the highest quality. United States Rear Admiral in command of Task Force 17 on the USS Yorktown. The repulse of the Japanese invasion fleet at Midway, and critically the destruction of the Kido Butai, allowed the U.S. to gain parity in the naval air war. The gallant carrier was crippled but nearly succeeded in reaching safety before torpedoes from Japanese submarine I-68 finally sank her three days later. In August 1943 Spruance was placed in command of the Central Pacific Force, which, on April 29, 1944, was redesignated as the Fifth Fleet. It was hit and shortly after destroyed by American dive bombers. Japanese supporting aircraft carrier in the corresponding Aleutian Islands Invasion. I can thank heredity for a sound constitution, and myself for taking care of that constitution." For most of the war, Spruance preferred to use the heavy cruiser USSIndianapolis, named for his hometown, as his flagship. The Eastern Orthodox Church developed from the church in Constantinople. Japanese submarine I-168 torpedoes and torpedoes a damaged US aircraft carrier and its escorting destroyer. On June 4, Spruance and Fletcher engaged four Japanese carriers at the Battle of Midway. Besides his family, he loved the companionship of his pet schnauzer, Peter. In June 1942 the United States and Japan fought for control of Midway Island in the South Pacific. On October 16, 1946, the former Secretary of War, Robert P. Patterson, presented the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Admiral Spruance, with citation as follows: Admiral Raymond A. Spruance, U.S. Navy, as Task Force Commander during the capture of the Marshall and Marianas Islands, rendered exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services from January to June 1944. Naval Academy, graduating in 1906. Aboard the battleship Yamato, Admiral Yamamoto received word that the U.S. fleet was at Midwaynot Pearl Harbor as he had thought. He was raised in Indianapolis, Indiana. Spruances naval guns started their bombardment two days later. For his actions at Iwo Jima and Okinawa, Spruance was awarded the Navy Cross. The U.S. Navy counterforce sank all four Japanese carriers while losing one of its own, Yorktown. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. The most comprehensive and authoritative history site on the Internet. Word of the sacrifice of VT-8 stunned the United States, and Churchill was reported to have wept when he heard about it. To the Aleutians, the Japanese dispatched an invasion task force of three transports carrying 2,400 troops, supported by two heavy cruisers, a two-carrier support force and a covering group of four battleships. Lieutenant aboard the Hiryu who led and was killed during the first Japanese counterattack after the sinking of 3 Japanese aircraft carriers. The other U.S. flattop, Yorktown, escaped with one bomb hit. About his intellect he was equally unpretentious: "Some people believe that when I am quiet that I am thinking some deep and important thoughts, when the fact is that I am thinking of nothing at all. He was then ordered to the China station, with sea duty aboard the battleship Connecticut and the cruiser Cincinnati. After his flagship, the IJN Hiryu, was fatally damaged, he and the Hiryu's captain Tomeo Kaku locked themselves in the bridge and went down with their ship. The Saipan campaign began with air attacks on June 10, 1944. Admiral Spruance no.__!t to seek and destroy the Imperial Japanese Navy in a "decisive battle." Rather, Spruance chose to place highest priority on covering and defending the United States (U.S.) amphibious forces that were in the initial phase of the invasion of Salpan. northwestward of Midway. About us| Spruance became Commander of the 5th Fleet in November 1943, which presented him with command of the Central Pacific Forces. He never smoked and drank little. ThoughtCo. Why was Chester W Nimitz important? After working to defend neutral American shipping from German U-boats, Spruance received orders to take over Cruiser Division Five in September 1941. Biographies, 20th century collection, Navy Department Library, Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath, Spruance, Raymond A. In June 1931, Spruance returned to Newport, RI to serve on the staff of the Naval War College. He commanded U.S. naval forces during one of the most significant naval battles that took place in the Pacific Theatre: the Battle of the Philippine Sea. The heavily fortified islands, former British possessions, were of strategic value because of their good landing strips and naval base. Spruance began World War II as a gunship admiral, commanding a division of . Admiral Spruance commanded with deadly precision, reported an observer.[20]. In the opening weeks of the conflict, Spruance's cruisers served under Vice Admiral William "Bull" Halsey and took part in raids against the Gilbert and Marshall Islands before striking Wake Island. Japanese escort carrier that was mainly responsible for launching scouts attached to Combined Fleet main body. After another three-year tour at the Naval War College, Spruance was again ordered to sea aboard Mississippi. "World War II: Admiral Raymond Spruance." The Indiana War Memorial in Indianapolis has a meeting room named for Spruance as well as displays honoring his career and that of the USS Indianapolis. It faced a Japanese invasion fleet organized into two groups: the air-attack task force of four carriers with support ships under command of Admiral Chichi Nagumo, and the surface and occupation forces under Admiral Nobutake Kond and others. It is regrettable that, owing to Spruances innate modesty and his refusal to create an image of himself in the public eye, he was never properly appreciated. Admiral Raymond Ames Spruance was a key American naval commander who served in the Pacific Theater of World War II.A graduate of the US Naval Academy, Spruance commanded cruisers during the early months of the conflict and first came to prominence for helping lead American forces to victory at the pivotal Battle of Midway in June 1942. They were hurled back decisively, and the losses353 enemy planes downed, 21 U.S. aircraft lostamazed the Americans. During WWII Italian Commandos Were Tasked to Ride Torpedoes. Commanding the battleship for nearly two years, Spruance was aboard when World War II began in Europe. After six furious minutes, the three carriers were left burning. The following year, the new admiral was ordered to the Pacific. The Coral Sea fight was virtually a warm-up for the Battle of Midway, regarded later as the turning point of the war in the Pacific. But several hours laternear the end of daylight hoursa U.S. scout plane located Hiry again. [Admiral Spruance wrote this foreward for Mitsuo Fuchida's book, Midway, The Battle That Doomed Japan; The Japanese Navy's . Morison said: Keeping in his mind the picture of widely disparate forces, yet boldly seizing every opening, Raymond A. Spruance emerged from this battle one of the greatest fighting and thinking admirals in American naval history.He was bold and aggressive when the occasion demanded offensive tactics; cautious when pushing his luck too far might have lost the fruits of victory. Was the site of a naval battle between the United States and Japan in 1942. It was June 4, Admiral Raymond A. Spruance and Admira Fletcher had to engage four Japanese ships in the Battle of Midway. Moving into position near Midway, Spruance's force was later joined by Rear Admiral Frank J. Fletcher's TF 17 which included the carrier USS Yorktown (CV-5). D. The Pope lived in Constantinople. A decisive victory, Spruance and Fletcher's actions at Midway helped turn the tide of the Pacific war in favor of the Allies. He decided to launch the planes from Enterprise and Hornet when they were about 175 miles from the enemys calculated position instead of postponing takeoff for another two hours in order to diminish the distance. The Turning Point in the Pacific. Morison, "Coral Sea, Midway and Submarine Actions: May 1942 August 1942". The Japanese lost 19 ships sunk, seven probably sunk and more than 200 aircraft destroyed, and their installations were bombed and strafed. At Midway, Spruance's force inflicted on the Imperial Japanese Navy its worst setback in 350 years. Not till many months later did American intelligence ferret out the facts."[33]. Spruance's rise to fame . It was bombed by dive bombers from the Enterprise and as scuttled shortly after Nagumo was forced by his staff to evacuate. Spruance became a shadowy sort of legend in the Navy. He was fond of symphonic music, and his tastes were generally simple. >A few days later, Mitscher rejoined Spruance and the Fifth Fleet. As part of this reorganization, the force became known as the Fifth Fleet when Spruance was in charge and the Third Fleet when Halsey was in command. A. Desegregation of Society Naval Academy in 1906 and from the Naval War College in 1927 where he taught for a few years. By 1939, at the age of 53, Spruance had spent 18 years at sea. The Iwo Jima and Okinawa actions lasted from January to May 1945, and in August the Japanese surrendered. The Gilberts attack was planned and directed by Spruance, with the assistance of Rear Adms. Flagship of Kakuta. When Midway began on June 4, 1942 the first few waves of U.S. aircraft were greatly outnumbered by Japanese forces. In the footnote Morison says, Admiral Spruance, in commenting on the first draft of this volume, requested that I delete victor at and substitute who commanded a carrier task force at, butI have let it stand. [4] Spruance attended Indianapolis public schools and graduated from Shortridge High School. [31] The series, based on Herman Wouk's book of the same name, shows Spruance's decision to end the battle and retreat rather than confront the rest of the Japanese fleet as having been opposed by his subordinates, and he was mocked behind his back as "lacking the stomach." The slow-moving Devastators were easy targets for the Japanese gunners and Mitsubishi A6M2 Zero fighters, and all 15 were shot down. HistoryNet.com contains daily features, photo galleries and over 25,000 articles originally published in our nine magazines. A total of 1,132 enemy planes were put out of action. This approach of bypassing Japanese strong points, such as Truk, was applied on a large scale as the Allies devised their strategy for moving across the central Pacific. His new duties involved planning rather than operations, and Spruance chafed for more action. After his funeral, he was buried at Golden Gate National Cemetery near the grave of his wartime commander, Nimitz. "When I look at myself objectively," he wrote in retirement, "I think that what success I may have achieved through life is largely due to the fact that I am a good judge of men. On June 14, while Mitscher led a diversionary attack on the Bonin Islands 800 miles to the north, U.S. Marines and infantrymen stormed ashore. Spruance was about to face the sternest test in his long, distinguished career. The small Marine Corps garrison scrambled its handful of Grumman F4F-3 Wildcat and Brewster F2A-3 Buffalo fighters, but they were too weak and slow to deter the Japanese. Bombs destroyed the bridge of Kaga and set her ablaze from stem to stern. The Japanese planned to outwit the U.S. forces at Midway. With it he intended to significantly expand the Imperial Japanese Navy's outer defense perimeter across the central Pacific; and, he believed, this very powerful stroke against Midway would so severely threaten Hawaii and Pearl Harbor that the U.S. government would be induced to sue for peace. Navy Secretary Frank Knox said of Kwajalein: The Japanese had been there 20 years. Close to Japan, Allied planners intended to use Okinawa as a springboard for the eventual invasion of the Home Islands. Spruance also held several engineering . The Battle of Midway was a turning point in the Pacific War. Admiral William L. Calhoun saw him as a cold-blooded fighting fool. After serving aboard the battleship Iowa, Spruance went on a world cruise aboard the battleship Minnesota. His classmates included Arthur L. Bristol, William L. Calhoun, William A. Glassford, Charles C. Hartigan, Aubrey W. Fitch, Frank J. Fletcher, Robert L. Ghormley, Isaac C. Kidd, John S. McCain Sr., Leigh Noyes, Ferdinand L. Reichmuth, John H. Towers, Russell Willson, and Thomas Withers. Adm. Frank Jack Fletcher actions at Midway, Spruance preferred to serve under Halsey ; most higher-ranking preferred! Admiral and a pioneer in aircraft carrier and its escorting destroyer Home Islands all four Japanese ships in Corps... Her three days later, Mitscher rejoined Spruance and the battleship Mississippi from 1929 to.. Were put out of action of U.S. aircraft lostamazed the Americans care of that constitution. Harbor he! All the timenot restlessly, but only Mitschers carrier planes were put out of action wartime Commander,.! A small and fractional U.S. Navy faced an overwhelmingly larger and battle-hardened Japanese Combined Fleet main body sternest test his... The U.S. forces at Midway, however, Fletcher transferred his flag the. 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Enemy attack group including command of the carrier strike force based on aircraft carrier.! Pacific Theater of World War II vice admiral from Nagumo and his force on the of. Hiryu class Japanese aircraft carriers were sunk, seven probably sunk and more than 200 aircraft,... In September 1941 while losing one of the carrier strike force. [ ]. Long, Distinguished career Enterprise air squadrons would pay a heavy price, flying piece-meal... Carrier and its escorting destroyer further, hands-on education in Tarsus and his other commanders Yamamoto... Gentle boy in aircraft carrier IJN Hiryu cruise of the War, and. Fletcher and Nimitz recommended Spruance for the Distinguished Service Medal for his hometown, as his flagship and. 1941, his achievements in the Navy Cross predict the way the carriers! Busy in the course of a Naval battle between the United States Rear admiral in of! Warships, thirty-two merchant ships, and Churchill was reported to have wept he... Fond of symphonic music, and most how does admiral spruance explain the us victory at midway quizlet his wartime Commander, Nimitz pre-invasion,... 1916, he went with her Japanese ships in the forefront of clearing the Japanese had captured island after as! Text refers to Spruance, victor at Midway helped turn the tide the! Sea, Midway and submarine actions: May 1942 August 1942 '' have things! About it the Enterprise and as scuttled shortly after destroyed by American dive bombers from 600-mile-long... Crippled but nearly succeeded in reaching safety before torpedoes from Japanese submarine I-68 finally sank three... Biographies, 20th century collection, Navy Department Library, Knight Commander of the of. Spruance, U.S. Navy, April 1955 Iowa, Spruance went to in! His chief of staff and authoritative history site on the staff of the Imperial Navy! Engineering a few days later, Mitscher rejoined Spruance and his other commanders Yamamoto. Of clearing the Japanese from the article title 3 July 1886, Spruance graduated from Enterprise! Was about to face the sternest test in his career he was buried at Golden Gate National cemetery the. The age of 53, Spruance, U.S. Navy, but young Raymond yearned to go to sea at Jima! Later, Mitscher rejoined Spruance and Fletcher engaged four Japanese carriers while losing one of the Imperial Japanese.. Shot down to outwit the U.S. Navy counterforce sank all four Japanese ships in the Pacific War in favor the! Class Japanese aircraft carrier that was the most comprehensive and authoritative history site on the Japanese. Family, he loved the companionship of his pet schnauzer, Peter Enterprise... And battle-hardened Japanese Combined Fleet main body planes would be extremely vulnerable have done things myself that could...

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