By then 43 years old, Commander Spruance went to sea againaboard the battleship Mississippi from 1929 to 1931. And with this battle the American forces gained, and afterwards continued to gain, hard combat experience; so the Japanese lost that crucial advantage as well. He is responsible for the Japanese battle plan to attack Midway and the Aleutian Islands. In July 1941, his responsibilities were expanded to include oversight of the Caribbean Sea Frontier. Recently promoted to rear admiral, Spruance was assigned to command a division of cruisers in the Pacific under Admiral Nimitz in 1941. This occurred at the same time that Admiral Turner's forces were attacking Eniwetok Atoll in the Marshalls, about 700 miles to the east. How did Paul's education This was said to be the first time that a four-star admiral took part in a sea action aboard one of the ships engaged. 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. During the third week of May 1942, U.S. naval intelligence units confirmed that the Japanese wouldby early Juneinvade Midway Island. His achievements were well-known, but the man himself was a mystery. The Japanese carriers were beginning to launch fighters as Torpedo 8 roared down to attack, without fighter cover. He enjoyed hot chocolate and would make it for himself every morning. 1155 (August 1946): 144-157. These raids were critical to moralesetting a new tone of aggressiveness by U.S. commanders while providing invaluable battle experience for the commanders and sailors of the U.S. Hiryu class Japanese aircraft carrier that was part of the second detachment of the Japanese carrier strike force. [7], Spruance served in Washington until early 1924, when he was ordered to the headquarters, Commander Naval Force in Europe. Admiral Spruance was buried with full honors alongside Admirals Nimitz and Kelly Turner in a military cemetery overlooking San Francisco Bay. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. But they expected it to come at the obvious and exposed outer fringe, and when we struck at the heart of the archipelago with a huge fleet that had approached undetected, we enjoyed complete tactical surprise. Though Spruance had not led a carrier force in the past, Nimitz agreed as the rear admiral would be aided by Halsey's staff, including the gifted Captain Miles Browning. The Japanese intercepted this and soon started sending messages that "AF was short on water. The US navy ended up winning the battle and historians consider this a major turning point in the Pacific Theater during World War II. 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 . In May 1914, Spruance received a posting as Assistant to the Inspector of Machinery at the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company. As the island-hopping campaign began, MacArthur continued his . 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. At 0530 June 4, a scout plane from Midway sighted the Kido Butai, however the scout only reported sighting "Two carriers and battleships", and giving course and speed. On June 19, however, hundreds of planes from nine Japanese aircraft carriers attacked the Fifth Fleet. 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. World War II: Admiral Raymond Spruance. [32] Wouk writes in his book that "Spruance escaped [the Japanese fleet admiral] Yamamoto's terrible trap by acting on perfect military instinct. Close to Japan, Allied planners intended to use Okinawa as a springboard for the eventual invasion of the Home Islands. King said to him "Spruance, you did a damn fine job there. Leaving, he assumed command of USS Mississippi. On the afternoon of June 4, 24 American dive bombersincluding 10 refugees from Yorktownscored four hits on Hiryu. [3] After the war, Spruance was appointed President of the Naval War College, and later served as American ambassador to the Philippines. Akagi and Kaga subsequently went down. No detail was too small to bring these American prisoners home. It was hit and shortly after destroyed by American dive bombers. He took part in organising the invasions of Iwo Jima and Okinawa and led the 5th Fleet in these two final battles. [25], Spruance was President of the Naval War College from February 1946 until he retired from the Navy in July 1948. Naval Academy at Annapolis. Navy.[4]. I was shanghaied ashore in November of the next year to take over as electrical superintendent at the New York Navy Yard, said Spruance. He was drafted on short notice for his date with destiny. Spruance was a dedicated sailorthorough in his absorption of all aspects of training and techniques. ThoughtCo. After Rome fell, the bishop of Constantinople became the most pow 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. During World War II, he was commander in the . 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. Kwajalein was in American hands, but the rest of the Marshalls groupabout 30 islands and more than 800 reefs scattered over hundreds of miles of oceanremained to be dealt with. C. American Dream The Navy, by law, was limited to four Fleet Admirals; three of these appointments were obvious: Ernest King, Chester Nimitz and William Leahy. 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. In May 1942, intelligence suggested that the Japanese were planning on assaulting Midway Island. Morisons text refers to Spruance, victor at Midway. 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 was then ordered to the China station, with sea duty aboard the battleship Connecticut and the cruiser Cincinnati. Early on the morning of Thursday, June 4, 1942, Nagumos carriers launched a 108-plane strike against Midway and inflicted Answer: 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. [4] Spruance attended Indianapolis public schools and graduated from Shortridge High School. "Well, pick it up and put it back," was Spruance's measured response.[8]. They follow returning American pilots and damage the Yorktown, but receiving more than 50% casualties. That same month, he directed Operation Hailstone which saw American carrier aircraft repeatedly strike the Japanese base at Truk. Raymond Spruance was born in Baltimore on July 3, 1886, the son of Alexander and Annie Spruance. He was in this post on June 4, 1942, when the Japanese navy attacked Midway Island in force. Spruance received the Navy Cross for his actions at Iwo Jima and Okinawa.[23]. They would draw them north to deal with a Japanese invasion in the bleak Aleutian Islands, and then strike at unprotected Midway. 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. With World War I raging, he became Assistant Engineer Officer of the New York Navy Yard. 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. He loved to show them to visitors. His steady rise, according to Newsweek magazine, has borne the imprint of his personalityunobtrusive but undeviating. He served as an instructor at the Naval War College from 1935 to 1938. The American toll was 1,100 dead and almost 2,300 wounded. 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. The combined American force consisted of three carriers, eight cruisers, 15 destroyers, 12 submarines and 353 aircraft, ranged against a grand total of 200 Japanese vessels and 700 planes. Aircraft carrier that served as the flagship of Task Force 17 and Admiral Fletcher. It was a cool, clear day. Japanese escort carrier that was mainly responsible for launching scouts attached to Combined Fleet main body. Thus the Americans knew the Japanese planned to move toward Midway. From 1952 to 1955 Spruance served as the American ambassador to Philippines. The Americans lost only 17 planes and no ships. . For most of the war, Spruance preferred to use the heavy cruiser USSIndianapolis, named for his hometown, as his flagship. In the course of a two-hour interview, he stood or walked about all the timenot restlessly, but slowly and deliberately. edward dean spruancegarberiel battery charger manual 26th February 2023 / in what's happening in silsbee, tx today / by / in what's happening in silsbee, tx today / by He was modest and candid about himself. Then he returned to the Naval War College as a staff member. The U.S. fleet lost fewer men, but it lost a fleet carrier while the Japanese lost only the light carrier Shoho. The heavily fortified islands, former British possessions, were of strategic value because of their good landing strips and naval base. The defeat effectively destroyed the Japanese Navy's air arm. It was June 4, Admiral Raymond A. Spruance and Admira Fletcher had to engage four Japanese ships in the Battle of Midway. 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. 7 reviews. While in that capacity he assumed additional duty as a member of the board on doctrine of aircraft in connection with fleet fire control. United States Admiral in command of naval units on the Pacific Theatre in 1942. He was then 55. The enemy units were forced to withdraw their battered aircraft carrier Shokaku, while the Americans had to abandon the old, cherished carrier Lexington. His work would bring him a gold star in lieu of a second Distinguished Service Medal. Admiral Spruance died on 13 December 1969, at his home in Pebble Beach , California. The American offensive in the Pacific theater was now enjoying considerable momentum, aided in no small measure by Rear Adm. Marc Mitschers Task Force 58, the most powerful and destructive unit in the history of sea warfare. Adding to the surprise factor was the fact that Admirals Yamamoto and Nagumo did not believe the U.S. Pacific Fleet was at sea. The Japanese had been overconfident, and the Americans taught them a bitter lesson. The U.S. Navy intercept force centered on the three carriers Enterprise, Hornet, and Yorktown, and their air-attack squadrons. British Royal Navy units helped support the landings. 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. Whether they produced battlefield images of the dead or daguerreotype portraits of common soldiers, []. Spruance was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, and in May 1943 he was promoted to vice admiral. United States airbase targeted by the Japanese in preparation to invade Hawaii. In 1916 he aided in the fitting out of the battleship Pennsylvania and he served on board her from her commissioning in June 1916 until November 1917. On December 30, 1914, Spruance married Margaret Vance Dean, the daughter of an Indianapolis businessman. The carriers were on station on June 2, and the following day Japanese transport ships were spotted 600 miles west of Midway Island. Naval Academy, graduating in 1906. 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. It was hit multiple times by aircraft from the IJN Hiryu and later torpedoed by a Japanese submarine before sinking. As the war progressed, Spruance became one of two primary . HistoryNet.com is brought to you by HistoryNet LLC, the worlds largest publisher of history magazines. 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. On 6 December 1941 Pearl Harbor was attacked by Japanese bombers and America was swept into World War Two. Then U.S. dive bombers from Spruance's Enterprise flew to Nagumo's fleet of four carriers which, fatefully, were without air cover. The U.S. Navy's decisive victory in the air-sea battle (June 3-6, 1942) and its successful defense of the major base located at Midway Island dashed Japan's hopes of neutralizing the United. Admiral Raymond A. Spruance, U.S. Navy, April 1955 . 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. The correct answer to this open question is the following. 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. By shortly after 9 a.m., planes from Yorktown were also on their way. 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