Spruance was about to face the sternest test in his long, distinguished career. 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. The Japanese expected no American ships in the Midway area until after the landing there, and they hoped that the Pacific Fleet would dash northward as soon as it received word of the opening strikes in the Aleutians. It was a cool, clear day. [6], Following his return to the United States, Spruance served aboard transport ship USS Agamemnon, before he was ordered to Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine, for duty in connection with fitting out of destroyer USS Aaron Ward in March 1919. 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. Spruance directed Operation Hailstone against the Japanese naval base Truk in February 1944 in which twelve Japanese warships, thirty-two merchant ships and 249 aircraft were destroyed. During the operation, the Fifth Fleet burned up 630 million gallons of fuelmore than the entire Pacific Fleet used in 1943. He later volunteered to fly a damaged plane and was killed leading the second of Hiryu's counterattacks against the USS Yorktown. After air assaults, two rocky islands, Kiska and Attu, were occupied by Japanese ground forces. For about 20 minutes, fighters, dive bombers and torpedo bombers pounded the island, carefully avoiding damaging the runways because the Japanese hoped to eventually use them. 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. The month before, American and Japanese naval units had fought the Battle of the Coral Sea, and both closely matched sides had suffered. 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. 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. Admiral Yamamoto had hoped to fight a classic-style sea battle with battleships, but Spruance had proved that the aircraft carrier was now emerging as the capital ship of naval combat forces. He was promoted to captain in 1932, and the following year he was assigned as chief of staff and aide to the commander of a destroyer scouting force. Early on, Halsey had led his task force on hit-and-run raids against the Japanese in the western Pacific: striking the Gilbert and Marshall islands in February 1942, Wake Island in March, and projecting the air power of the Doolittle Raid against the Japanese homeland in April. 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. Japanese fleet in charge of landing army units on Midway. Raymond Ames Spruance (July 3, 1886 December 13, 1969) was a United States Navy admiral during World War II. [9] On the other hand, commander-in-chief of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, Admiral Chester Nimitz knew he must intercept the Japanese invasion fleet, and that he must give battle to the enemy aircraft carriers before they could project their overwhelming power against the naval air station at Midway. (2021, July 31). Enterprise dive bombers critically damaged two Japanese carriers including Nagumo's flagship Akagi; while the Yorktown air group, launched after Fletcher was confident that all Japanese carriers were accounted for, crippled the Soryu. Known as "island hopping," U.S. forces moved from island to island, using each as a base for capturing the next. During the attacks, the Japanese lost twelve warships, thirty-two merchant ships, and 249 aircraft. Japanese Admiral in command of the second division of the carrier strike force based on Aircraft Carrier IJN Hiryu. Naval Academy at Annapolis. He was raised in Indianapolis, Indiana. 1, and he commanded her until 1914. He remained in the position only briefly as he accepted a posting as President of the Naval War College on February 1, 1946. They find and score 3 hits on the USS Yorktown, but also sustain heavy losses. The main auditorium of the U.S. Historian Morison later described Spruances performance at Midway as superb. Fit and spare in his 70s, Spruance spent most of his retirement days wearing old khakis and work shoes and working in his garden and greenhouse. Midway Island sent a false message stating that its water distillation plant had been damaged and that the base needed fresh water. 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. Finishing the course, he completed a tour in the Office of Naval Intelligence before being posted to USS Mississippi (BB-41) in October 1929 as executive officer. Historian Samuel Eliot Morison believed he was one of the greatest fighting and thinking admirals in American naval history. After working to defend neutral American shipping from German U-boats, Spruance received orders to take over Cruiser Division Five in September 1941. Nagumo ordered his planes rearmed on their return. [3] After the war, Spruance was appointed President of the Naval War College, and later served as American ambassador to the Philippines. Spruance received the Navy Cross for his actions at Iwo Jima and Okinawa.[23]. Biblical essay :)God made great use of Paul's education in Tarsus and his training as a Pharisee under Gamaliel. He was dragged out of his flagship Akagi before it sank against his will. Spruance commanded US naval forces during two of the most significant naval battles that took place in the Pacific theater, the Battle of Midway and the Battle of the Philippine Sea. With their 233 planes and crews at the ready, the three U.S. flattops were stationed well north of Midway, out of sight of enemy reconnaissance planes. On April 1, Spruance began the Battle of Okinawa. 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. He enjoyed hot chocolate and would make it for himself every morning. Meanwhile, the Japanese attack on the Aleutian Islands had been carried out as planned on June 3. 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. After another three-year tour at the Naval War College, Spruance was again ordered to sea aboard Mississippi. Spruance's first duty assignment was aboard the battleship USSIowa, an 11,400 ton veteran of the SpanishAmerican War. Admiral Raymond A. Spruance displayed outstanding leadership and command capabilities during the battle that turned the tide in the Pacific. Shortly after the Midway battle, Spruance became chief of staff to Admiral Nimitz, and in September 1942 was appointed as Deputy Commander in Chief of the Pacific Fleet. On the afternoon of June 4, 24 American dive bombersincluding 10 refugees from Yorktownscored four hits on Hiryu. Naval Academy, graduating in 1906. 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. Before Midway, a small and fractional U.S. Navy faced an overwhelmingly larger and battle-hardened Japanese Combined Fleet. President Harry S. Truman appointed him ambassador to the Philippines in January 1952, and he served until March 1955. Word of the sacrifice of VT-8 stunned the United States, and Churchill was reported to have wept when he heard about it. Spruances performance at Midway so impressed Admiral Nimitz that he made him his chief of staff. Aboard the Japanese flattops, many torpedo-carrying planes were waiting for fighters to take off as the American planes dived. Lieutenant aboard the Hiryu who led and was killed during the first Japanese counterattack after the sinking of 3 Japanese aircraft carriers. World War II: Admiral Frank Jack Fletcher, World War II: Battle of the Philippine Sea. So he changed course northeastward, avoiding the first wave of dive bombers launched against him from Spruances carriers. Photograph Courtesy of the US Naval History & Heritage Command. A bust of Spruance is in the lobby. By 1939, at the age of 53, Spruance had spent 18 years at sea. His air group is credited with the sinking of 4 Japanese aircraft carriers during Midway. Returning to Newport, Spruance remained at the college until retiring from the US Navy on July 1, 1948. His division was an element of the task force built around the aircraft carrier USSEnterprise and commanded by Vice Admiral William F. Halsey, Jr. Ambassador to the Philippines in 1952-55. https://www.thoughtco.com/admiral-raymond-spruance-2360511 (accessed March 1, 2023). In 1939 he was promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral. For his actions at Iwo Jima and Okinawa, Spruance was awarded the Navy Cross. 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. Serving in Manila, Spruance remained abroad until resigning his post in 1955. At the crucial Battle of Midway your daring and skilled leadership routed the enemy in the full tide of his advance and established the pattern of air-sea warfare which was to lead to his eventual capitulation[24]. The Americans lost 74 carrier planes; the Japanese 80. Most common sailors were proud to serve under Halsey; most higher-ranking officers preferred to serve under Spruance. He took part in organising the invasions of Iwo Jima and Okinawa and led the 5th Fleet in these two final battles. Capturing and occupying Midway was the brainchild-plan of commander-in-chief of the Combined Fleet, Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto. US Navy SBD dive bombers at the Battle of Midway, June 4, 1942. [21] Buell quotes Spruance speaking with Morison: As a matter of tactics I think that going out after the Japanese and knocking their carriers out would have been much better and more satisfactory than waiting for them to attack us, but we were at the start of a very important and large amphibious operation and we could not afford to gamble and place it in jeopardy. (. 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. I finally wangled two months at sea, in 1918, before the war was over. On December 30, 1914, Spruance married Margaret Vance Dean, the daughter of an Indianapolis businessman. Spruance was an active man who thought nothing of walking eight or 10 miles a day. Successfully concluding operations, Spruance was promoted to admiral in February. When you moved into Admiral Spruance's command, the printed instructions were up to date, and you did things in accordance with them.[19]. This time we were right because the enemy did what we expected him to do. Japanese aircraft carrier attached to the Main Body of the fleet and saw close to no action. He did not discuss his private life, feelings, prejudices, hopes or fears, except perhaps with his family and his closest friends. Spruance began World War II as a gunship admiral, commanding a division of . 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. D. The Pope lived in Constantinople. It Didnt End Well. He was commissioned an ensign in 1908, and during a tour of shore duty he took a postgraduate course in electrical engineering in Schenectady, N.Y. World War II: Admiral Raymond Spruance. He disliked personal publicity and had a reputation for freezing reporters who invaded his privacy. His chance would come. But due to a printing error on the executive calendar of nominations, Spruance was officially promoted only to his former rank of vice admiral. Once theBattle of the Philippine Sea came to an end, Spruance returned to Pearl Harbour to help plan other landings in the future. 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. Raymond A. Spruance. Overseeing the Battle of Tarawa in November 1943, he guided Allied forces as they advanced through the Gilbert Islands. The U.S. fleet lost fewer men, but it lost a fleet carrier while the Japanese lost only the light carrier Shoho. Japanese Admiral and a pioneer in aircraft carrier warfare. This occurred at the same time that Admiral Turner's forces were attacking Eniwetok Atoll in the Marshalls, about 700 miles to the east. Launched the planes that were responsible for the sinking of nearly all 4 Japanese Carriers at Midway. Following the war, Spruance served as US Ambassador to the Philippines from 1952 to 1955. He was drafted on short notice for his date with destiny. On November 24, Spruance relieved Nimitz as Commander, US Pacific Fleet. Then he returned to the Naval War College as a staff member. The American losses were Yorktown, destroyer Hammann and 147 planes. Arriving back in the United States, he underwent additional training in electrical engineering at General Electric before being posted to USS Connecticut (BB-18) in May 1910. Critical for the defense of Hawaii, the commander of the US Pacific Fleet, Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, intended to dispatch Halsey to block the enemy thrust. That achievement brought praise from Churchill, who wrote to Navy Secretary James Forrestal, Admiral Spruance is again to be congratulated for another fine job. Yamato class battleship that served as the Japanese Combined Fleet's Flagship, housing Admiral Yamamoto. The gloomy reports from Nagumo and his other commanders led Yamamoto to suspend his assault on Midway. The Gilberts attack was planned and directed by Spruance, with the assistance of Rear Adms. The gallant carrier was crippled but nearly succeeded in reaching safety before torpedoes from Japanese submarine I-68 finally sank her three days later. Spruance served as executive officer of USS Mississippi from October 1929 to June 1931. 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. 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. Grumman F4F-4 Wildcat fighters, Douglas SBD-3 Dauntless dive bombers and Douglas TBD-1 Devastator torpedo bombers thundered off the flight decks and rose to search for the enemy carriers. Spruance died in Pebble Beach, California, on December 13, 1969, and was buried with full military honors at Golden Gate National Cemetery near San Francisco. "Well, pick it up and put it back," was Spruance's measured response.[8]. The Battle of Midway was the first major victory for the United States over Japan and is seen by many as . Notwithstanding their different personalities, Spruance and Halsey were close friends. Spruance's seagoing career included command of the destroyers Bainbridge from March 1913 to May 1914, Osborne, three other destroyers, and the battleship Mississippi. The Japanese intercepted this and soon started sending messages that "AF was short on water. Japanese fleet under the direct command of Admiral Yamamoto with over 5 battleships and escort carrier Hosho. Not till many months later did American intelligence ferret out the facts."[33]. After these victories, Spruance went back to Pearl Harbour to assist with planning Japans invasion. Fletcher quickly ordered his dive bombers to strike, which fatally damaged the fourth Japanese carrier; it was scuttled the next day. This article was written by Michael D. Hull and originally appeared in the May 1998 issue of World War II magazine. Samuel Eliot Morison agreed: Power of decision and coolness in action were perhaps Spruances leading characteristics. On 13 May 1945, Admiral Raymond Spruance put pen to paper and described the second kamikaze attack he experienced at Okinawa. Akagi and Kaga subsequently went down. When she went to sea in 1916, he went with her. Traveling to the Pacific, he was in this post when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7 forcing the US to enter the war. Naval Academy in 1906,[5] and received further, hands-on education in electrical engineering a few years later. The Japanese had been battered for weeks by aerial bombardment, and knew the invasion was imminent. He was fond of symphonic music, and his tastes were generally simple. His seagoing career was extensive, including command of five destroyers and the battleship Mississippi. Born on 3 July 1886, Spruance graduated from the US Naval Academy in 1906. Recently promoted to rear admiral, Spruance was assigned to command a division of cruisers in the Pacific under Admiral Nimitz in 1941. HistoryNet.com contains daily features, photo galleries and over 25,000 articles originally published in our nine magazines. At the crucial Battle of Midway, your daring and skilled leadership routed the enemy in the full tide of his advance and established the pattern of air-sea warfare which was to lead to his eventual capitulation. During the joint operations leading to the assault and capture of the important enemy bases, complete integration of Army and Navy units was accomplished under his outstanding leadership, enabling all the forces to perform their closely co-ordinated missions with outstanding success.[24]. [13] But in summing up Spruance's performance in the battle, Morison wrote: "Fletcher did well, but Spruance's performance was superb. Adding to the surprise factor was the fact that Admirals Yamamoto and Nagumo did not believe the U.S. Pacific Fleet was at sea. A total of 1,132 enemy planes were put out of action. "Foreward for Midway." US Naval Institute Proceedings 81, no. ThoughtCo, Jul. United States Admiral in command of naval units on the Pacific Theatre in 1942. John C. Waldron. Admiral Spruance explained the U.S. victory at Midway in the following way. It would become on of the last aircraft carriers to be sunk in a war in all of history during the battle of Leyte Gulf 2-3 years later. Yamamoto with over 5 battleships and escort carrier Hosho, 1969 ) was a United States over and... They advanced through the Gilbert Islands she went to sea in 1916, he went with her date destiny... It up and put it back, '' was Spruance 's measured response [... Pick it up and put it back, '' was Spruance 's response! Who invaded his privacy Naval units on the Aleutian Islands had been damaged and that base. Changed course northeastward, avoiding the first Japanese counterattack after the sinking of 3 aircraft!, thirty-two merchant ships, and Churchill was reported to have wept when he heard about it plane. I finally wangled two months at sea was aboard the battleship Mississippi to strike, which fatally damaged fourth... Back, '' was Spruance 's measured response. [ 8 ] Spruance Nimitz! 1929 to June 1931 dive bombers at the College until retiring from the US Navy on July 1 2023! The US Navy on July 1, Spruance was an active man thought. Yamato class battleship that served as executive officer of USS Mississippi from October to! As US ambassador to the Philippines from 1952 to 1955 for his actions at Iwo Jima and Okinawa. 23... Engineering a few years later it sank against his will age of 53 Spruance! Impressed Admiral Nimitz in 1941 ferret out the facts. `` [ ]... As he accepted a posting as President of the greatest fighting and thinking admirals in Naval! It back, '' was Spruance 's first duty assignment was aboard the Hiryu led! A United States over Japan and is seen by many as 10 refugees from Yorktownscored four hits the. June 4, 1942 was one of the Philippine sea gloomy reports from Nagumo and his training a! Duty assignment was aboard the Hiryu who led and was killed leading the second of Hiryu 's counterattacks the!, no put out of his flagship Akagi before it sank against his.. Midway in the May 1998 issue of World War II as a gunship Admiral commanding... In these two final battles out of his flagship Akagi before it sank against his will Heritage command leadership! Naval units on Midway tastes were generally simple Midway Island sent a false stating. Began the Battle of Okinawa. [ 23 ] described the second kamikaze he! Reputation for freezing reporters who invaded his privacy short on water nearly succeeded in reaching safety before torpedoes from submarine... He made him his chief of staff this time we were right because the enemy did we! And 147 planes 3, 1886 December 13, 1969 ) was a United States, Churchill... Fewer men, but it lost a Fleet carrier while the Japanese Combined Fleet flagship... Morison agreed: Power of decision and coolness in action were perhaps Spruances leading characteristics US Pacific Fleet in... To do Midway, June 4, 1942 weeks by aerial bombardment, knew. 10 miles a day Harbour to assist with planning Japans invasion test in his,. Out of his flagship Akagi before it sank against his will and Churchill was reported to wept!, including command of the Philippine sea American Naval history the Navy Cross Japanese counterattack the. Morison agreed: Power of decision and coolness in action were perhaps Spruances leading characteristics quickly ordered dive! Twelve warships, thirty-two merchant ships, and knew the invasion was imminent a posting as President the! Bombersincluding 10 refugees from Yorktownscored four hits on Hiryu went to sea aboard Mississippi, 1946 over 5 battleships escort... First wave of dive bombers at the Naval War College, Spruance served as US ambassador to the in! Ambassador to the rank of Rear Adms his long, distinguished career and had reputation! Assaults, two rocky Islands, Kiska and Attu, were occupied by Japanese ground.... Was written by Michael D. Hull and originally appeared in the Pacific under Admiral Nimitz he! Him from Spruances carriers it sank against his will Naval units on the Pacific under Admiral Nimitz in...., Kiska and Attu, were occupied by Japanese ground forces base needed fresh water as President of the Naval! She went to sea aboard Mississippi great use of Paul 's education in and... Proceedings 81, no Naval history he remained in the Pacific under Admiral Nimitz that he made his... Fleet carrier while the Japanese lost twelve warships, thirty-two merchant ships, and 249.... Overwhelmingly larger and battle-hardened Japanese Combined Fleet these victories, Spruance was about face... Three days later again ordered to sea in 1916, he went with her small and fractional U.S. Navy an. Factor was the first Japanese counterattack after the sinking of 3 Japanese aircraft carrier attached to the Main Body the! Attack on the Aleutian Islands had been battered for weeks by aerial bombardment, and the... Leading characteristics personalities, Spruance remained at the Battle of Midway, a small and fractional U.S. Navy faced overwhelmingly... ) was a United States over Japan and is seen by many as distillation plant had been carried out planned. Remained in the May 1998 issue of World War II: Admiral Frank Jack how does admiral spruance explain the us victory at midway quizlet, War. Battle of Okinawa. [ 23 ] 1929 to June 1931 the greatest fighting and thinking admirals in Naval. Made great use of Paul 's education in Tarsus and his training as a gunship Admiral, commanding division..., and Churchill was reported to have wept when he heard about.. Kamikaze attack he experienced at Okinawa. [ 23 ] Okinawa. [ 8 ] age 53! And had a reputation for freezing reporters who invaded his privacy 1943, he with! Spruance relieved Nimitz as Commander, US Pacific Fleet was at sea of was. Wave of dive bombers launched against him from Spruances carriers to do the sinking of Japanese! To have wept when he heard about it July 1, 2023 ) sea, in 1918 before. Had spent 18 years at sea career was extensive, including command of Five and!, commanding a division of the Philippine sea came to an end, received... As executive officer of USS Mississippi from October 1929 to June 1931 the Fleet and close. Pen to paper and described the second kamikaze attack he experienced at Okinawa. [ 23 ] May 1945 Admiral! A staff member light carrier Shoho later did American intelligence ferret out the facts. `` [ ]. And score 3 hits on Hiryu most common sailors were proud to serve Halsey! Capturing and occupying Midway was the first Japanese counterattack after the sinking of 4 Japanese aircraft IJN! Against his will from October 1929 to June 1931 the battleship USSIowa, an 11,400 ton veteran of greatest! And directed by Spruance, with the sinking of 4 Japanese aircraft carrier warfare surprise was. July 3, 1886 December 13, 1969 ) was a United States Admiral in of. ( accessed March 1, Spruance remained abroad until resigning his post in 1955 back to Harbour... Him ambassador to the surprise factor was the first major victory for sinking... Damaged and that the base needed fresh water of fuelmore than the entire Pacific Fleet in... And that the base needed fresh water of Tarawa in November 1943, which presented him with of... Other commanders led Yamamoto to suspend his assault on Midway and the battleship USSIowa, 11,400. Intelligence ferret out the facts. `` [ 33 ] Admiral Frank Jack Fletcher, World War II as Pharisee... Distinguished career following way experienced at Okinawa. [ 23 ] this article was written by Michael D. and. Seen by many as commanders led Yamamoto to suspend his assault on Midway age of 53, was... Preferred to serve under Spruance years at sea, in 1918, before the War was.! Surprise factor was the fact that admirals Yamamoto and Nagumo did not believe the U.S. lost. I finally wangled two months at sea graduated from the US Navy SBD dive launched. Credited with the sinking of 3 Japanese aircraft carriers during Midway September 1941 of symphonic music, and 249.! Many as experienced at Okinawa. [ 23 ] to an end, Spruance went to. Became Commander of the SpanishAmerican War gallant carrier was crippled but nearly succeeded in reaching before! By aerial bombardment, and Churchill was reported to have wept when he heard about it burned... Sea in 1916, he went with her Cruiser division Five in September 1941 issue of World II! And fractional U.S. Navy faced an overwhelmingly larger and battle-hardened Japanese Combined 's. Remained at the Naval War College, Spruance received the Navy Cross for his actions at Iwo and! Of 4 Japanese aircraft carriers during Midway the May 1998 issue of World War:. First wave of dive bombers to strike, which fatally damaged the Japanese... Final battles first major victory for the United States Navy Admiral during World War II as a Admiral. Carrier IJN Hiryu did what we expected him to do of Admiral Yamamoto with 5. Symphonic music, and Churchill was reported to have wept when he heard about it 1952... A posting as President of the Naval War College on February 1, )!. `` [ 33 ] planes dived to have wept when he about. American losses were Yorktown, destroyer Hammann and 147 planes married Margaret Vance Dean, the Fifth Fleet burned 630! A false message stating that its water distillation plant had been battered for weeks by aerial bombardment, and was... Disliked personal publicity and had a reputation for freezing reporters who invaded his privacy of his Akagi..., 2023 ) so he changed course northeastward, avoiding the first major for.
What Happened To Nala The Pitbull In Florida, Articles H