He shifted his flag to the old battleship USSNew Mexico of the shore bombardment force after Indianapolis was struck by a Kamikaze off Okinawa. 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 US intelligence services could predict the way the Japanese carriers and planes would be approaching the battle. Launched the planes that were responsible for the sinking of nearly all 4 Japanese Carriers at Midway. In 1949, naval historian Samuel Eliot Morison noted that Spruance was subjected to criticism for not pursuing the retreating Japanese and allowing the surface fleet to escape. Summing up his appraisal of this outstanding sailor, Morison noted: Spruance in the Battle of the Philippine Sea, overriding Mitscher the carrier expert in letting the enemy planes come at him instead of going in search of them, won the second most decisive battle of the Pacific war. He wrote the day after the attack and the same day he attended funeral services for the 54 Sailors and Marines killed in the attack. Always calm, always at peace with himself, Spruance had that ability which marks the great captain to make correct estimates and the right decisions in a fluid battle situation. 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. Overseeing the Battle of Tarawa in November 1943, he guided Allied forces as they advanced through the Gilbert Islands. For exceptionally meritorious service 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., (Citation on Rear Admiral Spruances Navy Distinguished Service Medal, awarded for his conduct at the Battle of Midway). He was drafted on short notice for his date with destiny. That achievement brought praise from Churchill, who wrote to Navy Secretary James Forrestal, Admiral Spruance is again to be congratulated for another fine job. 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. It Didnt End Well. The Japanese felt that they had won the encounter. He served as an instructor at the Naval War College from 1935 to 1938. (2021, July 31). US Naval Task Force under Frank Fletcher with aircraft carrier Yorktown. The recipient of the letter below was his longtime friend and former chief-of-staff Captain Charles "Carl" J. Moore. At 8:20 a.m., Nagumos observers reported a group of American ships 200 miles away. Official Navy historian Samuel Eliot Morison characterized Spruance's performance as "superb", and he was nicknamed "electric brain" for his calmness even in moments of supreme crisis, a reputation enhanced by his successful tactics. Web. United States Aircraft Carrier attached to Task Force 16. Admiral Spruance was buried with full honors alongside Admirals Nimitz and Kelly Turner in a military cemetery overlooking San Francisco Bay. A decisive victory, Spruance and Fletcher's actions at Midway helped turn the tide of the Pacific war in favor of the Allies. My personal congratulations. He readied himself at Stevens Preparatory School in Hoboken, N.J., and entered Annapolis in July 1903 at age 17. https://www.historynet.com/admiral-raymond-a-spruance-modest-victor-of-midway/, Jerrie Mock: Record-Breaking American Female Pilot, How Operation Homecoming Was Sprung into Action to Repatriate American POWs. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. This gave rise to the description of Spruance as "an Admiral's admiral". ThoughtCo. 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. Its commanding officers Admiral Yamaguchi and the ship's captain both stayed aboard their ship. transmitted as a message) to Rear Admirals Frank Jack Fletcher and Raymond Spruance on the eve of the battle of Midway To quote a U S Navy website, "Nimitz clearly . Three bombs hammered her. But his service was not yet finished. Then U.S. dive bombers from Spruance's Enterprise flew to Nagumo's fleet of four carriers which, fatefully, were without air cover. The battle would open in the mist-shrouded Aleutians with airstrikes against Dutch Harbor on June 3, followed by landings at three points on June 6. The Battle of Midway infused the U.S. Pacific Navy with confidence. Commanded the first Japanese air strike against Midway Island at the beginning of the battle. The Americans lost 74 carrier planes; the Japanese 80. [4] Spruance attended Indianapolis public schools and graduated from Shortridge High School. 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. Historian Samuel Eliot Morison believed he was one of the greatest fighting and thinking admirals in American naval history. Meanwhile, Task Force 58 was busy in the forefront of clearing the Japanese from the 600-mile-long Marianas chain. I can thank heredity for a sound constitution, and myself for taking care of that constitution." [3] After the war, Spruance was appointed President of the Naval War College, and later served as American ambassador to the Philippines. The Iwo Jima and Okinawa actions lasted from January to May 1945, and in August the Japanese surrendered. Following a stint aboard USS Cincinnati, Spruance was made commander of the destroyer USS Bainbridge in March 1913 with the rank of lieutenant (junior grade). When you moved into Admiral Spruance's command, the printed instructions were up to date, and you did things in accordance with them.[19]. [14][15] For his actions at the battle of Midway Rear Admiral Spruance was awarded the Navy Distinguished Service Medal and cited as follows: "For exceptionally meritorious service as Task Force Commander, United States Pacific Fleet. A. This was followed by a promotion to Deputy Commander in Chief, US Pacific Fleet in September. It's commanding officer, Captain Yanagimoto, volunteered to stay aboard and go down with his ship. A total of 1,132 enemy planes were put out of action. 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. For the main Midway assault, the Japanese force consisted of the main battle fleet under Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, composed of three battleships, a light carrier and a destroyer screen; Admiral Chuichi Nagumos combined fleet of two battleships, two heavy cruisers, destroyers and four fleet carriers carrying more than 250 aircraft; and an invasion task force led by Admiral Nobutake Kondo, consisting of a dozen transport ships carrying 5,000 troops, closely supported by four heavy cruisers, two battleships and a light carrier; and a three-cordon submarine force intended to neutralize U.S. countermoves. Japanese aircraft carrier squadron under the command of Chuichi Nagumo in command of aircraft carriers Akagi, Kaga, Soryu, and Hiryu. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. However, an invasion was rendered unnecessary when the atomic bomb was used on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945. C. The Roman Catholic Church developed in Constantinople. Most of Nagumo's attack planes had just returned from the first strike on Midway and were immobilized on the carrier hangers, while his combat air patrol cover planes were engaged with battling torpedo bombers from Hornet. However, Spruances fleet was also charged with guarding the amphibious landings at Saipan and Tinian. [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." For his actions at Iwo Jima and Okinawa, Spruance was awarded the Navy Cross. He was raised in Indianapolis, Indiana. His father wanted him to go to West Point, but young Raymond yearned to go to sea. The two admirals were a contrast in styles. Returning to Newport, Spruance remained at the college until retiring from the US Navy on July 1, 1948. Things did not look hopeful for Spruance and his force on the eve of Midway. The surviving carrier, Hiry, gave the Japanese some brief respite by sending strikes that again damaged Yorktown. Then it was back to Pebble Beach. Morisons text refers to Spruance, victor at Midway. Despite this, some detractors argued that Spruances tactics at Philippine Sea were overly cautious. John C. Waldron. While one was at sea, the other would be planning their next operation. Covered by fog and lashed by storms most of the time, they were generally unsuitable for air or naval bases. Spruance is depicted as the controversial victor of Midway by G. D. Spradlin in the 1988 TV miniseries War and Remembrance. 31, 2021, thoughtco.com/admiral-raymond-spruance-2360511. He presided over US Forces in the Pacific during two decisive Allied victories: the Battle of Midway in 1942 and the 1944 Battle of the Philippines Sea. 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. D. The Pope lived in Constantinople. After Midway, although the Japanese still held a temporary advantage in vessels and planes, the U.S. Navy and the nation gained confidence and, most critically, time. When Yorktown was struck at Midway, however, Fletcher transferred his flag to the cruiser Astoria and placed Spruance tactically in charge. In the fighting, the Japanese lost three carriers and around 600 aircraft. He served as Assistant Chief of Staff under Vice admiral Philip Andrews during the period of tensions between Greece and Turkey and was decorated with the Gold Cross of the Order of the Savior by the Government of Greece for his service. On April 1, Spruance began the Battle of Okinawa. HistoryNet.com contains daily features, photo galleries and over 25,000 articles originally published in our nine magazines. Clarence McClusky, swooped from 19,000 feet onto Nagumos ships. 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 . "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. With the battleship's completion, Spruance joined its crew and remained aboard until November 1917. At that time, Admiral Nimitz instituted a unique arrangement in which the command of the vessels which made up the "Big Blue Fleet" alternated between Admiral William Halsey Jr., at which time it was identified as the Third Fleet and Task Force 38, and Admiral Spruance, when it became the Fifth Fleet and Task Force 58. Raymond Ames Spruance (July 3, 1886 December 13, 1969) was a United States Navy admiral during World War II. Subscribe to receive our weekly newsletter with top stories from master historians. . 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 April 1942 he offered support to carriers that launched the Doolittle Raid, an air raid on Tokyo and other parts of Honshu island. The sole survivor of the squadrons 30 officers and men was Ensign George H. Gay, Jr., who spent several hours floating in the water, watching the battle. On August 1, 1941, he finished his tour in Puerto Rico. Successfully concluding operations, Spruance was promoted to admiral in February. 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. On the afternoon of June 4, 24 American dive bombersincluding 10 refugees from Yorktownscored four hits on Hiryu. In June 1942 the United States and Japan fought for control of Midway Island in the South Pacific. The enemy units were forced to withdraw their battered aircraft carrier Shokaku, while the Americans had to abandon the old, cherished carrier Lexington. The Japanese were trying to tow Soryu to safety when she was torpedoed and sunk by the U.S. submarine Nautilus. This saw Allied forces move against Okinawa in the Ryukyu Islands. 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. [30] He is shown to be at loggerheads with his staff on numerous occasions and corrected by them once. As his staff worked, Halsey used the fleet to win the Battle of Leyte Gulf. 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. In August 1943 Spruance was placed in command of the Central Pacific Force, which, on April 29, 1944, was redesignated as the Fifth Fleet. 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. He withdrew his ships westward, still hoping to draw Spruance into a trap. He was in this post on June 4, 1942, when the Japanese navy attacked Midway Island in force. For that assault, Spruance led the most powerful naval strike force in history. The U.S. Navy intercept force centered on the three carriers Enterprise, Hornet, and Yorktown, and their air-attack squadrons. 7 reviews. At the Battle of the Coral Sea, the Japanese won a tactical victory, but suffered an operational-level defeat: it did not invade Port . The Japanese lost 322 airplanes, most of them going down with the carriers. Biographies, 20th century collection, Navy Department Library, Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath, Spruance, Raymond A. Besides his family, he loved the companionship of his pet schnauzer, Peter. Admiral Raymond A. Spruance, U.S. Navy, April 1955 . After air assaults, two rocky islands, Kiska and Attu, were occupied by Japanese ground forces. 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. His division was an element of the task force built around the aircraft carrier USSEnterprise and commanded by Vice Admiral William F. Halsey, Jr. His next assignment was command of the destroyer Aaron Ward, and then USS Perceval. He suggested Spruance replace him as commander of the Fleet carrier force, despite the fact that Spruce had little experience with carriers. 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. Admiral Chester W. Nimitz called him a fine man, a sterling character, and a great leader, and said, nothing you can say about him would be praise enough. He also commanded Task Force 16 at the Battle of Midway, comprising the carriers Enterprise and Hornet. Pratt, F. "Spruance: Picture of the Admiral," Harpers Magazine 193, no. Yamamoto himself was based on the battleship Yamato, which is the largest warship built to date. After the enemys raids on Midway, Admiral Spruance ordered the launching of every possible plane to search for and attack the Japanese carriers. When Nimitz named him commander of the disputed Central Pacific Area, this made him responsible for the planning and execution of the attack on the Gilbert Islands in November 1943. The other U.S. flattop, Yorktown, escaped with one bomb hit. When Vice Adm. Bull Halsey was confined to a hospital with a skin disease, Pacific Fleet Commander Nimitz appointed Spruance to succeed him as commander of Task Force 16. Ambassador to the Philippines in 1952-55. Akagi and Kaga subsequently went down. The Americans lost only 17 planes and no ships. In the course of a two-hour interview, he stood or walked about all the timenot restlessly, but slowly and deliberately. Japanese fleet under the direct command of Admiral Yamamoto with over 5 battleships and escort carrier Hosho. Spruances naval guns started their bombardment two days later. 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. No matter what other people tell you, your decision was correct". His flagship was badly damaged by the Japanese and was hit by two torpedoes from a Japanese submarine before sinking. Spruance was a dedicated sailorthorough in his absorption of all aspects of training and techniques. Japanese escort carrier that was mainly responsible for launching scouts attached to Combined Fleet main body. 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. 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. After these victories, Spruance went back to Pearl Harbour to assist with planning Japans invasion. Capturing and occupying Midway was the brainchild-plan of commander-in-chief of the Combined Fleet, Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto. He's one of the finest officers I know of. I am lazy, and I never have done things myself that I could get someone to do for me. 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. Japanese supporting aircraft carrier in the corresponding Aleutian Islands Invasion. Spruance was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, and in May 1943 he was promoted to vice admiral. erful leader. My mind is blank. The son of Alexander and Annie Spruance, Raymond Ames Spruance was born at Baltimore, MD on July 3, 1886. Navy Secretary Frank Knox said of Kwajalein: The Japanese had been there 20 years. During WWII Italian Commandos Were Tasked to Ride Torpedoes. 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. 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. The carriers were on station on June 2, and the following day Japanese transport ships were spotted 600 miles west of Midway Island. Before the Battle of the Coral Sea on 7-8 May 1942, the Imperial Navy of Japan had swept aside all of its enemies from the Pacific and Indian oceans. How did Paul's education At Midway, Spruances force inflicted on the Imperial Japanese Navy its worst setback in 350 years. During World War II, he was commander in the . They find and score 3 hits on the USS Yorktown, but also sustain heavy losses. . A. Desegregation of Society After Rome fell, the bishop of Constantinople became the most pow After serving aboard the battleship Iowa, Spruance went on a world cruise aboard the battleship Minnesota. Spruance, Raymond A. But what was important about this actionthe first naval battle in history fought by fleets that never came within sight of each otherwas that the U.S. Navy had thwarted the enemys planned capture of Port Moresby in strategic New Guinea. 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. 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. 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. 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. Admiral Spruances last campaigns were the invasions of Iwo Jima and Okinawa, and he was awarded the Navy Cross for extraordinary heroism. [Admiral Spruance wrote this foreward for Mitsuo Fuchida's book, Midway, The Battle That Doomed Japan; The Japanese Navy's . Mitschers force pursued the Japanese fleet and engaged it the following day in the Philippine Sea, sinking the light carrier Hiyo and two oilers (in addition to which submarines Albacore and Cavalla had sunk Taiho and Shokaku the previous day). The three-day operation was the most extensive ever undertaken by carriers. 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. The correct answer to this open question is the following. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. With World War I raging, he became Assistant Engineer Officer of the New York Navy Yard. They would draw them north to deal with a Japanese invasion in the bleak Aleutian Islands, and then strike at unprotected Midway. Samuel Eliot Morison agreed: Power of decision and coolness in action were perhaps Spruances leading characteristics. >A few days later, Mitscher rejoined Spruance and the Fifth Fleet. But their elation was short-lived, for too many Japanese fighters had descended to deal with the torpedo bombers, leaving a window of opportunity for any American dive bombers that arrived. Write down what your favorite food is and why to get 50 points :), Select TWO facts about the relationship between Constantinople and Christianity. As the war progressed, Spruance became one of two primary fleet commanders, the other being Admiral William "Bull" Halsey, employed by Admiral Chester W. Nimitz. Yamato class battleship that served as the Japanese Combined Fleet's Flagship, housing Admiral Yamamoto. The Navy honored Spruance by giving his name to a new class of 30 destroyers, the first of which, USS Spruance, was launched in 1973. But we went in and took their possessions in a few days, without the loss of a single ship. After his funeral, he was buried at Golden Gate National Cemetery near the grave of his wartime commander, Nimitz. As Allied forces battled on the island, Spruance's ships defeated Operation Ten-Go on April 7 which saw the Japanese battleship Yamato attempt to break through to the island. Akagi class Japanese aircraft carrier that was part of the first detachment of the Japanese carrier strike force. It was spotted by scouts from the USS Hornet and destroyed by planes from the Enterprise. In July 1941, his responsibilities were expanded to include oversight of the Caribbean Sea Frontier. The defenders fought fiercely but were unable to inflict any damage on the U.S. vessels. However a second strike from Hiry would fatally cripple Fletcher's flagship, Yorktown and as a result, Fletcher passed command to Spruance, who would command the mop up phase of the battle. [27], Spruance was an active man who thought nothing of walking eight or 10 miles a day. Was the site of a naval battle between the United States and Japan in 1942. Spruance was awarded the Navy Distinguished Service Medal for his service at Midway. Two years later, he aided in the fitting out of USS Pennsylvania (BB-38) then under construction in the yard. In this state the Japanese carriers would be extremely vulnerable. He also held several engineering, intelligence, staff and Naval War College positions up to the 1940s. Michio Kobayashi But due to a printing error on the executive calendar of nominations, Spruance was officially promoted only to his former rank of vice admiral. "Well, pick it up and put it back," was Spruance's measured response.[8]. He was the grandfather of legendary theatre director Anne Bogart. It was hit and shortly after destroyed by American dive bombers. At that moment 37 Douglas Dauntless bombers from the USS Enterprise peeled off into a dive attack on two . Nagumo ordered his planes rearmed on their return. The Marine fighters and anti-aircraft fire shot down or badly damaged about a third of the enemy attack group. Raymond Ames Spruance (July 3, 1886 - December 13, 1969) was a United States Navy admiral in World War II. He organized the Japanese counterattack on the American carriers and is credited with the sinking of the USS Yorktown, the only American Carrier sunk at Midway. The fighting, the other would be extremely vulnerable pet schnauzer, Peter Spruance awarded! Had little experience with carriers his actions at Iwo Jima and Okinawa actions lasted from January to May,. 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