The two admirals were a contrast in styles. 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. She went down with Admiral Yamaguchi, an outstanding flag officer who, it was said, would have been Yamamotos successor had he lived. His next assignment was command of the destroyer Aaron Ward, and then USS Perceval. The other U.S. flattop, Yorktown, escaped with one bomb hit. In April 1942 he offered support to carriers that launched the Doolittle Raid, an air raid on Tokyo and other parts of Honshu island. 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 modest and candid about himself. He was uniquely modest and candid about himself all his life. He lived quietly at Pebble Beach until December 13, 1969, when he died of arteriosclerosis at the age of 83. 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. His entry in Whos Who in America was only three lines long (including his full name), and a footnote in Morisons monumental history of the U.S. Navy in World War II testifies to his modesty. The Japanese had been battered for weeks by aerial bombardment, and knew the invasion was imminent. Yet because of his modest, retiring nature, Spruance was never a popular hero in the manner of Admirals Nimitz, William F. Halsey and Marc A. Mitscher. After serving aboard the battleship Iowa, Spruance went on a world cruise aboard the battleship Minnesota. He shifted his flag to the old battleship USSNew Mexico of the shore bombardment force after Indianapolis was struck by a Kamikaze off Okinawa. No matter what other people tell you, your decision was correct". In 1964 an Ohio woman took up the challenge that had led to Amelia Earharts disappearance. "Foreward for Midway." US Naval Institute Proceedings 81, no. Spruance's first duty assignment was aboard the battleship USSIowa, an 11,400 ton veteran of the SpanishAmerican War. During the attacks, the Japanese lost twelve warships, thirty-two merchant ships, and 249 aircraft. Leaving, he assumed command of USS Mississippi. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Admiral Spruance died on 13 December 1969, at his home in Pebble Beach , California. Unites States Rear Admiral in command of Task Force 16 on the USS Enterprise. The American losses were Yorktown, destroyer Hammann and 147 planes. Subscribe to receive our weekly newsletter with top stories from master historians. 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. ThoughtCo. 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. The son of Alexander and Annie Spruance, Raymond Ames Spruance was born at Baltimore, MD on July 3, 1886. [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. Fifteen Buffaloes and two Wildcats were lost, but the garrisons anti-aircraft fire was effective. His air group is credited with the sinking of 4 Japanese aircraft carriers during Midway. C. American Dream It is still the largest warship built to date and survived the battle undamaged as it never came near the battlefield despite Yamamoto's protests. These plans proved moot when the war came to an abrupt end in early August with the use of the atom bomb. These attacks were followed by a raid against Marcus Island. [citation needed]. "[28], The destroyers Spruance(DD-963), lead ship of the Spruance class of destroyers, and Spruance(DDG-111), 61st ship of the Arleigh Burke class of destroyers, were named in his honor.[29]. 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. catalogued as someone to watch; there was never any possibility that he would be passed over in the lists for promotion. Midway Island sent a false message stating that its water distillation plant had been damaged and that the base needed fresh water. C. The Roman Catholic Church developed in Constantinople. 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 managed to inflict only superficial damage on three ships. 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 was hit and shortly after destroyed by American dive bombers. In June 1931, Spruance returned to Newport, RI to serve on the staff of the Naval War College. A total of 1,132 enemy planes were put out of action. World War II: Admiral Frank Jack Fletcher, World War II: Battle of the Philippine Sea. He was decorated with Order of Leopold and Croix de guerre with Palm by the Government of Belgium for his service for the Allied cause.[26]. One exception was Admiral John Towers, a constant critic of Spruance, whom Spruance came to despise for his naked ambition.[18]. Retribution was not long in coming. Spruance began World War II as a gunship admiral, commanding a division of . He received his Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D. "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. Was the site of a naval battle between the United States and Japan in 1942. But several hours laternear the end of daylight hoursa U.S. scout plane located Hiry again. [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. The carriers were on station on June 2, and the following day Japanese transport ships were spotted 600 miles west of Midway Island. His flagship was badly damaged by the Japanese and was hit by two torpedoes from a Japanese submarine before sinking. On February 26, 1940, Spruance reported as commandant of the 10th Naval District with headquarters at Naval Station Isla Grande in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Naval Academy, graduating in 1906. In April, Nimitz divided command of the Central Pacific Force between Spruance and Halsey. 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. It was June 4, Admiral Raymond A. Spruance and Admira Fletcher had to engage four Japanese ships in the Battle of Midway. The Eastern Orthodox Church developed from the church in Constantinople. Determining that New Mexico was not too badly damaged to remain on station Spruance kept her as his flagship for the rest of the campaign. >The fleet units shielding the Marianas invasion forces were also under Spruances command. On the afternoon of June 4, 24 American dive bombersincluding 10 refugees from Yorktownscored four hits on Hiryu. 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. In May 1942, intelligence suggested that the Japanese were planning on assaulting Midway Island. Launched the planes that were responsible for the sinking of nearly all 4 Japanese Carriers at Midway. In one incident a distraught officer rushed to report, "Captain, we've just dropped a depth charge over the stern!" Admiral Spruance commanded with deadly precision, reported an observer.[20]. Spruance was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, and in May 1943 he was promoted to vice admiral. Spruance's achievements were acknowledged by the unique distinction of a special act of Congress awarding him Admiral's full pay for life. The U.S. Navy intercept force centered on the three carriers Enterprise, Hornet, and Yorktown, and their air-attack squadrons. United States Rear Admiral in command of Task Force 17 on the USS Yorktown. [27], Spruance was an active man who thought nothing of walking eight or 10 miles a day. A. Desegregation of Society In July 1941, his responsibilities were expanded to include oversight of the Caribbean Sea Frontier. 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. It was bombed by dive bombers from the Enterprise and as scuttled shortly after Nagumo was forced by his staff to evacuate. [7], Spruance served in Washington until early 1924, when he was ordered to the headquarters, Commander Naval Force in Europe. Then Nagumos force was spotted by torpedo bombers from Hornets squadron VT-8, led by Lt. Cmdr. 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. Five days after the Marshalls campaign, Spruance sent the Mitscher force to attack Tinian and Saipan in the Mariana Islands. 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. Adding to the surprise factor was the fact that Admirals Yamamoto and Nagumo did not believe the U.S. Pacific Fleet was at sea. They find and score 3 hits on the USS Yorktown, but also sustain heavy losses. Write down what your favorite food is and why to get 50 points :), Select TWO facts about the relationship between Constantinople and Christianity. Mounting a tenacious defense, the Japanese held out for over a month. In this state the Japanese carriers would be extremely vulnerable. Raymond A. Spruance. 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. He readied himself at Stevens Preparatory School in Hoboken, N.J., and entered Annapolis in July 1903 at age 17. Locating the Japanese carriers as they were rearming and refueling their aircraft, American bombers inflicted massive damage and sank three. 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. (2021, July 31). [2] He emerged from the war as one of the greater admirals in American naval history. Then Nagumo was dumbfounded to receive a search planes report of 10 enemy ships to the northeast, where no U.S. ships were supposed to be. During WWII Italian Commandos Were Tasked to Ride Torpedoes. When New Mexico was struck by two kamikaze on the night of 12 May 1945 a hasty search by Spruance's staff found the Admiral manning a fire hose amidship. Since US intelligence had reported the possibility that the Kido Butai would be operating in two separate task forces, that meant that Fletcher only knew the location of half of the carrier force. Spruance also held several engineering . Japanese submarine I-168 torpedoes and torpedoes a damaged US aircraft carrier and its escorting destroyer. 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. 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). Richmond Kelly Turner and Harry W. Hill and Marine Generals Holland M. Smith and Julian C. Smith. 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. He was appointed as Ambassador to the Philippines by President Harry S. Truman, and served there from 1952 to 1955. 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. 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. Japanese propagandists pointed to their success in the Aleutians to offset the defeat at Midway, but actually the Aleutians were of little strategic value. The most comprehensive and authoritative history site on the Internet. Naval Academy at Annapolis. The Battle of Midway was a turning point in the Pacific War. Lieutenant in command of the USS Yorktown air group. He withdrew his ships westward, still hoping to draw Spruance into a trap. 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. Admiral William L. Calhoun saw him as a cold-blooded fighting fool. [25], Spruance was President of the Naval War College from February 1946 until he retired from the Navy in July 1948. Returning to Newport, Spruance remained at the college until retiring from the US Navy on July 1, 1948. For most of the war, Spruance preferred to use the heavy cruiser USSIndianapolis, named for his hometown, as his flagship. The Battle of Midway was the first major victory for the United States over Japan and is seen by many as . The Japanese had been overconfident, and the Americans taught them a bitter lesson. Born on 3 July 1886, Spruance graduated from the US Naval Academy in 1906. Meanwhile, the Japanese attack on the Aleutian Islands had been carried out as planned on June 3. 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. The Japanese lost 19 ships sunk, seven probably sunk and more than 200 aircraft destroyed, and their installations were bombed and strafed. Retiring to Pebble Beach, CA, he died there on December 13, 1969. The following year, the new admiral was ordered to the Pacific. My mind is blank. And, off Okinawa, Spruance never faltered in face of the destruction wrought by the kamikazes. >A few days later, Mitscher rejoined Spruance and the Fifth Fleet. It was a cool, clear day. At Midway, Spruances force inflicted on the Imperial Japanese Navy its worst setback in 350 years. Both commanders hoped for a classic battle with the Imperial Japanese Navy, but only Mitschers carrier planes were able to reach the enemy. Naval Academy in 1906,[5] and received further, hands-on education in electrical engineering a few years later. Admiral Raymond A. Spruance displayed outstanding leadership and command capabilities during the battle that turned the tide in the Pacific. 7 reviews. Things did not look hopeful for Spruance and his force on the eve of Midway. Having attained the rank of commander, Spruance attended the Senior Course at the Naval War College in July 1926. Naval Academy in 1906 and received further education in electrical engineering a few years later. He later volunteered to fly a damaged plane and was killed leading the second of Hiryu's counterattacks against the USS Yorktown. On June 4, Spruance and Fletcher engaged four Japanese carriers at the Battle of Midway. In 1939 he was promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral. This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. As the war progressed, Spruance became one of two primary . In 1939 he was promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral. 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. 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. The gloomy reports from Nagumo and his other commanders led Yamamoto to suspend his assault on Midway. 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]. Halsey was aggressive and a risk taker. He studied hard, and when he graduated in September 1906, he stood 26th in his class. This was followed by an assault on Kwajalein in the Marshall Islands on January 31, 1944. Admiral Raymond Ames Spruance was a key American naval commander who served in the Pacific Theater of World War II. Lt Tomanaga leads Japanese Torpedo Bombers to attack the remaining carriers. It was June 4, Admiral Raymond A. Spruance and Admira Fletcher had to engage four Japanese ships in the Battle of Midway. His achievements were well-known, but the man himself was a mystery. Yamamoto himself was based on the battleship Yamato, which is the largest warship built to date. Spruance was put in command of Task Force 16, which included two carriers: USS Enterprise and USS Hornet, and was instrumental in the decisive US victory in the Battle of Midway. On November 24, Spruance relieved Nimitz as Commander, US Pacific Fleet. 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. Morisons text refers to Spruance, victor at Midway. Fletcher quickly ordered his dive bombers to strike, which fatally damaged the fourth Japanese carrier; it was scuttled the next day. 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. 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. This article was written by Michael D. Hull and originally appeared in the May 1998 issue of World War II magazine. Although there are no options attached we can say the following. Akagi and Kaga subsequently went down. United States Aircraft Carrier attached to Task Force 16. Spruance was about to face the sternest test in his long, distinguished career. 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). Moving forward in mid-1944, Spruance embarked on a campaign in the Marianas Islands. Besides his family, he loved the companionship of his pet schnauzer, Peter. . Raymond Ames Spruance as Ambassador to the Republic of the Philippines Admiral Raymond A. Spruance, Vice Admiral Marc A. Mitscher, Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz and Vice Admiral Willis A. Lee - 1945 Ambassador to the Philippines in 1952-55. B. Jim Crow Laws 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. A number of strategic and tactical errors contributed to the Japanese defeat: Yamamotos virtual isolation on the bridge of Yamato and his failure to maintain an overall grip on the strategic situation; a loss of nerve on the part of Nagumo; tradition that led Yamaguchi and other enemy commanders to go down with their ships instead of trying to recover the initiative; insufficient reconnaissance against the U.S. carriers; a lack of high-altitude fighter cover; inadequate fire precautions aboard the ships; and the launching of airstrikes from all four fleet carriers at the same time, so that there was a critical period when the Japanese carrier force had little defensive capability. He never smoked, and drank little. 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. 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