He was in this post on June 4, 1942, when the Japanese navy attacked Midway Island in force. He was responsible for leading the 5th Fleet into the pivotal Battle of the Philippines Sea, nicknamed the 'Great Marianas Turkey Shoot' because a total of 365 Japanese planes were brought down. Lt Tomanaga leads Japanese Torpedo Bombers to attack the remaining carriers. Leaving, he assumed command of USS Mississippi. 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. Hickman, Kennedy. The Japanese were trying to tow Soryu to safety when she was torpedoed and sunk by the U.S. submarine Nautilus. Before Midway, a small and fractional U.S. Navy faced an overwhelmingly larger and battle-hardened Japanese Combined 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. Meanwhile, the Japanese attack on the Aleutian Islands had been carried out as planned on June 3. He was the grandfather of legendary theatre director Anne Bogart. In 1939 he was promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral. The US intelligence services could predict the way the Japanese carriers and planes would be approaching the battle. It was hit and shortly after destroyed by American dive bombers. Spruance's seagoing career included command of the destroyers Bainbridge from March 1913 to May 1914, Osborne, three other destroyers, and the battleship Mississippi. That December he was elevated to rear admiral, and in February 1940 he was placed in command of the 10th Naval District (Caribbean), with his headquarters in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He took part in organising the invasions of Iwo Jima and Okinawa and led the 5th Fleet in these two final battles. He served as an instructor at the Naval War College from 1935 to 1938. The young, ambitious officer was then assigned to Bainbridge, U.S. destroyer No. Spruance is depicted as the controversial victor of Midway by G. D. Spradlin in the 1988 TV miniseries War and Remembrance. 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. 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. The Iwo Jima and Okinawa actions lasted from January to May 1945, and in August the Japanese surrendered. Raymond Ames Spruance was born in Baltimore, Maryland on July 3, 1886, to Alexander and Annie Spruance, but grew up in Indianapolis. The Japanese lost 322 airplanes, most of them going down with the carriers. US Naval Task force under Raymond Spruance with 2 carriers, Enterprise and Hornet. 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. In the seven-week campaign, 55 Japanese ships were sunk, five probably sunk and 74 damaged. 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. "World War II: Admiral Raymond Spruance." 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. 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. The defenders fought fiercely but were unable to inflict any damage on the U.S. vessels. Graduating from Annapolis three years later, he served two years at sea before receiving his commission as an ensign on September 13, 1908. 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. Naval History and Heritage Command, "Biography of Raymond A. Spruance Press Release July 24, 1941, United States Navy Department", "Adm Spruance's Fitrep after Battle of Midway", Citation, Navy Cross, Raymond A. Spruance, "Admiral Raymond Ames Spruance America's Navy", "News Release: Navy Names Two New Guided Missile Destroyers", "War & Remembrance (Part 3) (May 26 July 25, 1942)", "War & Remembrance (Part 3) (May 26 July 25, 1942) 1988", Pacific Crucible: War at Sea in the Pacific, 19411942, The Conquering Tide: War in the Pacific Islands, 19421944, Twilight of the Gods: War in the Western Pacific, 19441945, United States Ambassadors to the Philippines, Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Raymond_A._Spruance&oldid=1137739908, Ambassadors of the United States to the Philippines, High Commissioners of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Recipients of the Distinguished Service Medal (US Army), Recipients of the Navy Cross (United States), Recipients of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, Articles with dead external links from July 2022, Articles with dead external links from December 2020, Articles with permanently dead external links, Short description is different from Wikidata, All Wikipedia articles written in American English, Articles with unsourced statements from October 2016, Wikipedia articles incorporating text from the Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 6 February 2023, at 05:43. He died on 13 December 1969 at the age of 83. Hickman, Kennedy. When you moved into Admiral Spruance's command, the printed instructions were up to date, and you did things in accordance with them.[19]. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. 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. D. Suburban America, 100 POINTS! After serving aboard the battleship Iowa, Spruance went on a world cruise aboard the battleship Minnesota. Shortly before his retirement, Spruance received the following Letter of Commendation from the Secretary of the Navy: Your brilliant record of achievement in World War II played a decisive part in our victory in the Pacific. 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. Spruance became Commander of the 5th Fleet in November 1943, which presented him with command of the Central Pacific Forces. The Americans lost only 17 planes and no ships. ThoughtCo. 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. Bombs destroyed the bridge of Kaga and set her ablaze from stem to stern. >The fleet units shielding the Marianas invasion forces were also under Spruances command. He graduated from the U.S. Fewer than two days before launch from Pearl Harbor, Nimitz's commander of the fleet carrier force, Admiral Halsey, was hospitalized with severe shingles;[10] Halsey immediately recommended Admiral Spruance to Nimitz as his replacement with Admiral Fletcher receiving overall command. One commentator said: The quick success of the offensive was attributed to the strategic daring by which Vice Admiral Spruances forces cut behind the eastern chain of the Marshalls. Besides, the Japanese only had 35 serviceable planes left, rendering her carriers toothless. Some people asked why he did not take take advantage of the chaotic scene to attack all of Japans air carriers. Yet the decision is hailed by the series's narrator as instrumental in sealing the American victory. 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. Admiral Spruances last campaigns were the invasions of Iwo Jima and Okinawa, and he was awarded the Navy Cross for extraordinary heroism. Captain George C. Dyer of the light cruiser Astoria, who served under both Spruance and Halsey, summed up the view of many ship captains: My feeling was one of confidence when Spruance was there. Admiral Spruance commanded with deadly precision, reported an observer. "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. Spruance's achievements were acknowledged by the unique distinction of a special act of Congress awarding him Admiral's full pay for life. Hiryu class Japanese aircraft carrier that was the flagship of the second detachment of the carrier strike force. In fact, Spruance had a knack for getting along with difficult people, including his friend Admiral Kelly Turner, the hotheaded commander of 5th Fleet's amphibious force. He was modest and candid about himself. President Harry S. Truman appointed him ambassador to the Philippines in January 1952, and he served until March 1955. He has appeared on The History Channel as a featured expert. This was in July 1938, and this time he was the battleships commander. Photograph Courtesy of the US Naval History & Heritage Command. He was fond of symphonic music, and his tastes were generally simple. Navy.[4]. 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. 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. 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. He was dragged out of his flagship Akagi before it sank against his will. One exception was Admiral John Towers, a constant critic of Spruance, whom Spruance came to despise for his naked ambition.[18]. Akagi was lashed by bombs, which exploded torpedoes that were being loaded onto her planes, and the crew abandoned ship. For his actions at Iwo Jima and Okinawa, Spruance was awarded the Navy Cross. Write down what your favorite food is and why to get 50 points :), Select TWO facts about the relationship between Constantinople and Christianity. Four years later, President Harry S. Truman appointed him as Ambassador to the Republic of the Philippines. Spruances performance at Midway so impressed Admiral Nimitz that he made him his chief of staff. Spruance served as executive officer of USS Mississippi from October 1929 to June 1931. Then he returned to the Naval War College as a staff member. At 8:20 a.m., Nagumos observers reported a group of American ships 200 miles away. Spruance was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, and in May 1943 he was promoted to vice admiral. After air assaults, two rocky islands, Kiska and Attu, were occupied by Japanese ground forces. The first Japanese airstrike was followed by another. 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. Things did not look hopeful for Spruance and his force on the eve of Midway. 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. Admiral Spruance explained the U.S. victory at Midway in the following way. 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. Spruance also held several engineering . Japanese propagandists pointed to their success in the Aleutians to offset the defeat at Midway, but actually the Aleutians were of little strategic value. In August 1943 Spruance was placed in command of the Central Pacific Force, which, on April 29, 1944, was redesignated as the Fifth Fleet. Three bombs hammered her. An academic building at the Naval War College was also named for him. Close to Japan, Allied planners intended to use Okinawa as a springboard for the eventual invasion of the Home Islands. [3] After the war, Spruance was appointed President of the Naval War College, and later served as American ambassador to the Philippines. 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]. Moving forward in mid-1944, Spruance embarked on a campaign in the Marianas Islands. He also commanded Task Force 16 at the Battle of Midway, comprising the carriers Enterprise and Hornet. 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. 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. 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). 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 Indiana War Memorial in Indianapolis has a meeting room named for Spruance as well as displays honoring his career and that of the USS Indianapolis. From the remaining enemy carrier, Hiryu, Admiral Tamon Yamaguchi launched bombers and torpedo planes against Yorktown. 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. 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. Serving in Manila, Spruance remained abroad until resigning his post in 1955. US Naval Task Force under Frank Fletcher with aircraft carrier Yorktown. He attended grade and high schools in East Orange, N.J., and in Indianapolis. Lieutenant aboard the Hiryu who led and was killed during the first Japanese counterattack after the sinking of 3 Japanese aircraft carriers. And, off Okinawa, Spruance never faltered in face of the destruction wrought by the kamikazes. US Navy SBD dive bombers at the Battle of Midway, June 4, 1942. It was his job to protect the landing force.[8]. D. The Pope lived in Constantinople. Then it was back to Pebble Beach. [4] Spruance attended Indianapolis public schools and graduated from Shortridge High School. Spruance was an active man who thought nothing of walking eight or 10 miles a day. The Japanese lost 19 ships sunk, seven probably sunk and more than 200 aircraft destroyed, and their installations were bombed and strafed. He was the united states navy fleet admiral in the some of the The battle of Midway was one of the most decisive battle in th Admiral Yamamoto Isoroku, Japanese fleet commander, chose to i HistoryNet.com contains daily features, photo galleries and over 25,000 articles originally published in our nine magazines. 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. 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. I am lazy, and I never have done things myself that I could get someone to do for me. 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