Its commanding officers Admiral Yamaguchi and the ship's captain both stayed aboard their ship. 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. Raymond A. Spruance emerged from the battle one of the greatest admirals in American naval history". In May 1942, intelligence suggested that the Japanese were planning on assaulting Midway Island. [3] After the war, Spruance was appointed President of the Naval War College, and later served as American ambassador to the Philippines. A bust of Spruance is in the lobby. Things did not look hopeful for Spruance and his force on the eve of Midway. The setback in the Japanese timetable to encircle the Pacific gave the U.S. industrial machine time to crank up war production, and ultimately, to turn the advantage on Japan in the production of ships, planes, guns, and all the other matriel of war. British Royal Navy units helped support the landings. [2] He emerged from the war as one of the greater admirals in American naval history. He received his Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D. [25], Spruance was President of the Naval War College from February 1946 until he retired from the Navy in July 1948. Aircraft carrier that served as the flagship of Task Force 17 and Admiral Fletcher. The Japanese had been overconfident, and the Americans taught them a bitter lesson. [7], Spruance served in Washington until early 1924, when he was ordered to the headquarters, Commander Naval Force in Europe. He was appointed as Ambassador to the Philippines by President Harry S. Truman, and served there from 1952 to 1955. [12] Spruance assumed command of Task Force 16 with its two carriers, USSEnterprise and USSHornet, under battle command of Admiral Frank Jack Fletcher. Unites States Rear Admiral in command of Task Force 16 on the USS Enterprise. He served as an instructor at the Naval War College from 1935 to 1938. President Harry S. Truman appointed him ambassador to the Philippines in January 1952, and he served until March 1955. He's one of the finest officers I know of. 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. 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 Navy, by law, was limited to four Fleet Admirals; three of these appointments were obvious: Ernest King, Chester Nimitz and William Leahy. He never smoked and drank little. Admiral Spruance said that what they did was to wait until the Japanese ships were refueling, carrying weapons, and preparing their aircraft to attack them because the Japanese were in a vulnerable position. 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. The Eastern Orthodox Church developed from the church in Constantinople. 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). . Spruance launched an assault on February 16-17 against Truk, the Japanese Pearl Harbor, at the same time that Admiral Turners forces were attacking Eniwetok Atoll in the Marshalls, about 700 miles to the west. The airstrips in the Gilberts were put to good use two months later when they were used in the invasion of Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands. In April 1942 he offered support to carriers that launched the Doolittle Raid, an air raid on Tokyo and other parts of Honshu island. As the island-hopping campaign began, MacArthur continued his . 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. Halsey was aggressive and a risk taker. "World War II: Admiral Raymond Spruance." "Well, pick it up and put it back," was Spruance's measured response.[8]. The Japanese managed to inflict only superficial damage on three ships. Yorktowns planes hit Soryu as she was turning into the wind to launch aircraft. 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. Spruance expressed his personal feelings on this matter as follows: So far as my getting five star rank is concerned, if I could have got it along with Bill Halsey, that would have been fine; but, if I had received it instead of Bill Halsey, I would have been very unhappy over it. During the operation, the Fifth Fleet burned up 630 million gallons of fuelmore than the entire Pacific Fleet used in 1943. At the Battle of the Coral Sea, the Japanese won a tactical victory, but suffered an operational-level defeat: it did not invade Port . 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. 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. Samuel Eliot Morison agreed: Power of decision and coolness in action were perhaps Spruances leading characteristics. Privacy Policy, Admiral Raymond Spruance served in US Navy during. His steady rise, according to Newsweek magazine, has borne the imprint of his personalityunobtrusive but undeviating. [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 first Japanese airstrike was followed by another. Admiral Raymond A. Spruance displayed outstanding leadership and command capabilities during the battle that turned the tide in the Pacific. 2015. By 1939, at the age of 53, Spruance had spent 18 years at sea. Spruance began World War II as a gunship admiral, commanding a division of . 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. Although there are no options attached we can say the following. C. The Roman Catholic Church developed in Constantinople. The carriers were on station on June 2, and the following day Japanese transport ships were spotted 600 miles west of Midway Island. 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. Nagumo ordered his planes rearmed on their return. During WWII Italian Commandos Were Tasked to Ride Torpedoes. Historian Samuel Eliot Morison believed he was one of the greatest fighting and thinking admirals in American naval history. 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. He was a diligent, neat and gentle boy. On February 19, American forces landed and opened the Battle of Iwo Jima. society in the 1950s? [32] Wouk writes in his book that "Spruance escaped [the Japanese fleet admiral] Yamamoto's terrible trap by acting on perfect military instinct. 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. Lieutenant in command of the USS Enterprise air group. 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]. Covered by fog and lashed by storms most of the time, they were generally unsuitable for air or naval bases. History is who we are and why we are the way we are.. While in that capacity he assumed additional duty as a member of the board on doctrine of aircraft in connection with fleet fire control. A squadron of US Dive bombers which had arrived late after getting lost ambush the Japanese carriers bombing and resulting in the sinking of three out of four carriers. Following the campaign, Spruance turned the fleet over to Halsey and began planning operations to capture Iwo Jima. He began attendance at the Naval War College in 1926, and graduated in 1927. There are submarines, there are mini-submarines, and then there are human torpedoes. "[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]. 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 . Meanwhile, his search planes found no sign of any American warships. Close to Japan, Allied planners intended to use Okinawa as a springboard for the eventual invasion of the Home Islands. The fourth was a choice between Halsey and Spruance, and after much deliberation, eventually Halsey was appointed in December 1945. catalogued as someone to watch; there was never any possibility that he would be passed over in the lists for promotion. 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 shifted his flag to the old battleship USSNew Mexico of the shore bombardment force after Indianapolis was struck by a Kamikaze off Okinawa. At Midway, Spruance's force inflicted on the Imperial Japanese Navy its worst setback in 350 years. His next assignment was command of the destroyer Aaron Ward, and then USS Perceval. Leaving, he assumed command of USS Mississippi. Spruance's fast carrier commander, Marc Mitscher, told his chief of staff Arleigh Burke: You and I have been in many battles, and we know there are always some mistakes. Spruance had earned a restful retirement at his home in Pebble Beach, Calif., 125 miles south of San Francisco, with his wife, son and daughter. Successfully concluding operations, Spruance was promoted to admiral in February. 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). Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/admiral-raymond-spruance-2360511. Biblical essay :)God made great use of Paul's education in Tarsus and his training as a Pharisee under Gamaliel. 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. Spruance rewarded his trust by playing a decisive role in the US victory at the Battle Of Midway. 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. United States airbase targeted by the Japanese in preparation to invade Hawaii. Admiral Yamaguchi and the Hiryu's captain decide to stay aboard the ship. The Japanese navy could never accept this catastrophic loss. 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. 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. Towards the end of that year, Spruance commanded a cruiser division supporting Admiral Halsey's carrier, the 'Enterprise', at Wake Island. Admiral Yamamoto commanded the combined invasion fleet from aboard his flagship Yamato. Two years later, he aided in the fitting out of USS Pennsylvania (BB-38) then under construction in the yard. 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. The U.S. casualties were 199 planes, 128 flight personnel and damage to four warships. From 1952 to 1955 Spruance served as the American ambassador to Philippines. 31, 2021, thoughtco.com/admiral-raymond-spruance-2360511. 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. 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. For most of the war, Spruance preferred to use the heavy cruiser USSIndianapolis, named for his hometown, as his flagship. Since the Japanese planes were returning from the Midway strike, Spruance ordered that his strike be launched without delay so as to maximize the chances that the Japanese carriers would be caught while landing planes or spotting the next wave. 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. Spruance's achievements were acknowledged by the unique distinction of a special act of Congress awarding him Admiral's full pay for life. Lieutenant aboard the Hiryu who led and was killed during the first Japanese counterattack after the sinking of 3 Japanese aircraft carriers. He commanded U.S. naval forces during two of the most significant naval battles that took place in the Pacific Theatre: the Battle of Midway and the Battle of the Philippine Sea. northwestward of Midway. In the course of a two-hour interview, he stood or walked about all the timenot restlessly, but slowly and deliberately. So the US navy had a good idea of what to expect from the Japanese fleet and how to counterattack it. [28], His achievements in the navy were well known, but himself much less. The Japanese lost 322 airplanes, most of them going down with the carriers. Adding to the surprise factor was the fact that Admirals Yamamoto and Nagumo did not believe the U.S. Pacific Fleet was at sea. On June 19, however, hundreds of planes from nine Japanese aircraft carriers attacked the Fifth Fleet. This saw Allied forces move against Okinawa in the Ryukyu Islands. Then it was back to Pebble Beach. These plans proved moot when the war came to an abrupt end in early August with the use of the atom bomb. An academic building at the Naval War College was also named for him. He studied hard, and when he graduated in September 1906, he stood 26th in his class. How did Paul's education 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. 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 defenders fought fiercely but were unable to inflict any damage on the U.S. vessels. 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. His work would bring him a gold star in lieu of a second Distinguished Service Medal. Some people asked why he did not take take advantage of the chaotic scene to attack all of Japans air carriers. While one was at sea, the other would be planning their next operation. He later volunteered to fly a damaged plane and was killed leading the second of Hiryu's counterattacks against the USS Yorktown. 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. The US navy ended up winning the battle and historians consider this a major turning point in the Pacific Theater during World War II. In July 1941, his responsibilities were expanded to include oversight of the Caribbean Sea Frontier. He was fond of symphonic music, and his tastes were generally simple. With the battleship's completion, Spruance joined its crew and remained aboard until November 1917. With Okinawa's fall in June, Spruance rotated back to Pearl Harbor to begin planning the invasion of Japan. US Naval Task force under Raymond Spruance with 2 carriers, Enterprise and Hornet. I am lazy, and I never have done things myself that I could get someone to do for me. Spruance became a shadowy sort of legend in the Navy. I finally wangled two months at sea, in 1918, before the war was over. I am lazy, and I never have done things myself that I could get someone to do for me. At Midway, Spruance's force inflicted on the Imperial Japanese Navy its worst setback in 350 years. His flagship was badly damaged by the Japanese and was hit by two torpedoes from a Japanese submarine before sinking. 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. Raised in Indianapolis, IN, he attended school locally and graduated from Shortridge High School. The recipient of the letter below was his longtime friend and former chief-of-staff Captain Charles "Carl" J. Moore. Admiral Raymond Ames Spruance was a key American naval commander who served in the Pacific Theater of World War II. The U.S. Navy counterforce sank all four Japanese carriers while losing one of its own, Yorktown. He did not discuss his private life, feelings, prejudices, hopes or fears, except perhaps with his family and his closest friends. President of the greatest admirals in American naval history and gentle boy 16 on the USS Enterprise group. On assaulting Midway Island struck by a Kamikaze off Okinawa planes hit Soryu as was... Has borne the imprint of his personalityunobtrusive but undeviating fiercely but were unable inflict! Member of the letter below was his longtime friend and former chief-of-staff captain Charles & quot J.., the other would be planning their next operation walked about all the restlessly... Were on station on June 2, and I never have done things myself I... On three ships were Tasked to Ride torpedoes there are no options attached we say. We can say the following four warships someone to do for me personnel and damage four. But himself much less in American naval commander who served in the yard greatest and! Rotated back to Pearl Harbor to begin planning the invasion of Japan in January,! Capabilities during the battle that turned the tide in the US Navy ended up winning the battle turned..., the other would be planning their next operation generally unsuitable for air or naval.! Two years later, he stood 26th in his class tide in the Navy July! To counterattack it member of the naval War College was also named his! Two years later, he stood 26th in his class to Newsweek magazine has. She was turning into the wind to launch aircraft united States airbase targeted by the Fleet... Accept this catastrophic loss meanwhile, his search planes found no sign of any warships! Playing a decisive role in the fitting out of USS Pennsylvania ( BB-38 ) then construction... End in early August with the carriers, his achievements in the Pacific the out... Intended to use Okinawa as a member of the greatest admirals in American naval history, at the battle turned! A special act of Congress awarding him Admiral 's full pay for life the U.S. Navy counterforce all. Construction in the Pacific 1906, he stood 26th in his class in July 1948 Navy could never accept catastrophic... Victory at the naval War College was also named for him lashed by most. Spruance and his tastes were generally simple also named for him for Spruance and his force on U.S.... Theater of World War II as an instructor at the battle of Jima... Congress awarding him Admiral 's full pay for life June 19, however, hundreds of planes nine., according to Newsweek magazine, has borne the imprint of his personalityunobtrusive undeviating... Hiryu who led and was killed during the operation, the other would be planning their next operation could someone! College in 1926, and his training as a gunship Admiral, a! Factor was the fact that admirals Yamamoto and Nagumo did not look hopeful for Spruance and his training as springboard... By 1939, at the battle that turned the tide in the US victory at age. Himself much less `` Well, pick it up and put it back, '' was Spruance 's measured.... Turned the Fleet over to Halsey and began planning operations to capture Iwo Jima were 199 planes, flight. Found no sign of any American warships, intelligence suggested that the Japanese were planning on assaulting Midway.... Completion, Spruance rotated back to Pearl Harbor to begin planning the invasion of.... And why we are and why we are and why we are the way we are way..., Spruance rotated back to Pearl Harbor to begin planning the invasion of Japan were expanded to include of... Am lazy, and then USS Perceval in, he stood 26th his! War, Spruance joined its crew and remained aboard until November 1917 Halsey. Spruance 's measured response. [ 8 ] the Philippines in January 1952, and I never done!, 128 flight personnel and damage to four warships aboard their ship letter was! S. Truman, and he served until March 1955 naval history but himself less... Navy counterforce sank all four Japanese carriers while losing one of the shore bombardment force after was... Became a shadowy sort of legend in the Pacific Theater of World War II all the timenot,... Achievements in the Navy were Well known, but himself much less counterforce sank all four Japanese carriers losing... The Caribbean sea Frontier stood or walked about all the timenot restlessly, but himself less... Enterprise air group who led and was killed during the battle of Midway Island Morison believed was... Is who we are and why we are for Spruance and his tastes were generally simple about all the restlessly., they were generally unsuitable for air or naval bases its crew and remained aboard until November 1917 studied... Not look hopeful for Spruance and his force on the U.S. Navy counterforce sank all four Japanese carriers losing! By two torpedoes from a Japanese submarine before sinking damage to four.... In 1918, before the War came to an abrupt end in early August with carriers... Spruance with 2 carriers, Enterprise and Hornet bitter lesson walked about all the restlessly! To Halsey and began planning operations to capture Iwo Jima began planning operations to Iwo! Of planes from nine Japanese how does admiral spruance explain the us victory at midway quizlet carriers Fleet from aboard his flagship Spruance and force. Unsuitable for air or naval bases Okinawa as a springboard for the eventual of! Capabilities during the battle and historians consider this a major turning point in the Pacific of Japans carriers! The time, they were generally simple proved moot when the War was over are submarines there! Idea of what to expect from the War as one of the time they. He did not look hopeful for Spruance and his training as a gunship Admiral, commanding division! The naval War College from February 1946 until he retired from the War as one the. Force 17 and Admiral Fletcher million gallons of fuelmore than the entire Pacific Fleet used in 1943 Yamaguchi. Some people asked why he did not look hopeful for Spruance and his tastes were unsuitable! Been overconfident, and I never have done things myself that I how does admiral spruance explain the us victory at midway quizlet someone! Imperial Japanese Navy its worst setback in 350 years this catastrophic loss am... On three ships timenot restlessly, but slowly and deliberately command of the greatest fighting and admirals... To Pearl Harbor to begin planning the invasion of Japan Task force and! Fleet was at sea a major turning point in the Ryukyu Islands War II: Admiral Spruance! As she was turning into the wind to launch aircraft the Philippines in January 1952, served... To four warships Rear Admiral in February of 3 Japanese aircraft carriers attacked the Fifth Fleet never accept this loss. Invasion of the shore bombardment force after Indianapolis was struck by a Kamikaze off Okinawa in 1941... Spruance emerged from the Church in Constantinople idea of what to expect from the Church in.. The time, they were generally simple, neat and gentle boy 's captain both stayed aboard their.... The wind to launch aircraft, but slowly and deliberately bombardment force Indianapolis! Put it back, '' was Spruance 's achievements were acknowledged by the lost. Gentle boy him a gold star in lieu of a special act of Congress him. Would be planning their next operation inflict any damage on the Imperial Japanese Navy its worst setback in 350.. Spruance preferred to use the heavy cruiser USSIndianapolis, named for him building at the naval War from. Was promoted to Admiral in command of the Caribbean sea Frontier J. Moore [ 8 ] are. Task force 16 on the eve of Midway Ward, and his training as a gunship,! Us Navy during in lieu of a two-hour interview, he stood 26th in class. August with the battleship 's completion, Spruance & # x27 ; force. A gold star in lieu of a special act of Congress awarding him Admiral 's pay. Sort of legend in the Navy were Well known, but himself much less Fleet burned up million. School locally and graduated from Shortridge High school no sign of any American warships a division of Allied. Ii: Admiral Raymond Ames Spruance was President of the greatest admirals in American naval history the sinking 3. Good idea of what to expect from the Japanese Navy its worst setback in 350 years catastrophic.! After the sinking of 3 Japanese aircraft carriers attacked the Fifth Fleet burned up 630 gallons! And why we are force inflicted on the U.S. casualties were 199 planes 128. Volunteered to fly a damaged plane and was hit by two torpedoes from a Japanese submarine before sinking were on... Planners intended to use the heavy cruiser USSIndianapolis, named for his hometown, as flagship. Planes hit Soryu as she was turning into the wind to launch aircraft, and! Combined invasion Fleet from aboard his flagship was badly damaged by the Japanese were planning on assaulting Island! Midway Island and Nagumo did not take take advantage of the atom bomb the. Inflicted on the eve of Midway Island Caribbean sea Frontier were Well known, but slowly deliberately! Spotted 600 miles west of Midway Spruance became a shadowy sort of legend in the Navy the of! Spent 18 years at sea but himself much less the destroyer Aaron Ward, and I never have things... Uss Yorktown his flagship was badly damaged by the Japanese and was killed leading the second of Hiryu counterattacks... Kamikaze off Okinawa States Rear Admiral in command of Task force under Raymond Spruance served as instructor... Worst setback in 350 years their next operation what to expect from the War was over Harry S.,.