Besides, the Japanese only had 35 serviceable planes left, rendering her carriers toothless. Early on, Halsey had led his task force on hit-and-run raids against the Japanese in the western Pacific: striking the Gilbert and Marshall islands in February 1942, Wake Island in March, and projecting the air power of the Doolittle Raid against the Japanese homeland in April. Spruance was calculating and cautious. On February 19, American forces landed and opened the Battle of Iwo Jima. Falling ill with shingles, Halsey recommended that Spruance lead Task Force 16, centered on the carriers USS Enterprise (CV-6) and USS Hornet (CV-8), in his stead. Thus the Americans knew the Japanese planned to move toward Midway. Aircraft carrier that served as the flagship of Task Force 17 and Admiral Fletcher. On June 19, however, hundreds of planes from nine Japanese aircraft carriers attacked the Fifth Fleet. Admiral Spruance could have been right. C. The Roman Catholic Church developed in Constantinople. With the battleship's completion, Spruance joined its crew and remained aboard until November 1917. The US intelligence services could predict the way the Japanese carriers and planes would be approaching the battle. Besides his family, he loved the companionship of his pet schnauzer, Peter. But his service was not yet finished. 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). When you moved into Admiral Spruance's command, the printed instructions were up to date, and you did things in accordance with them.[19]. US Naval Task Force under Frank Fletcher with aircraft carrier Yorktown. 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. United States airbase targeted by the Japanese in preparation to invade Hawaii. Japanese Vice Admiral in command of the Japanese Carrier strike force based on the Aircraft Carrier IJN Akagi. (. 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. US Navy SBD dive bombers at the Battle of Midway, June 4, 1942. The Japanese had been battered for weeks by aerial bombardment, and knew the invasion was imminent. My mind is blank. Morison said: Keeping in his mind the picture of widely disparate forces, yet boldly seizing every opening, Raymond A. Spruance emerged from this battle one of the greatest fighting and thinking admirals in American naval history.He was bold and aggressive when the occasion demanded offensive tactics; cautious when pushing his luck too far might have lost the fruits of victory. US Naval Task force under Raymond Spruance with 2 carriers, Enterprise and Hornet. You can specify conditions of storing and accessing cookies in your browser, How does Admiral Spruance explain the U.S. victory, The Brown case began what trend in American It was his job to protect the landing force.[8]. History is a guide to navigation in perilous times. Two years later, he aided in the fitting out of USS Pennsylvania (BB-38) then under construction in the yard. 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. He was in this post on June 4, 1942, when the Japanese navy attacked Midway Island in force. Leaving, he assumed command of USS Mississippi. Spruance, Raymond A. While in that capacity he assumed additional duty as a member of the board on doctrine of aircraft in connection with fleet fire control. [11] Although Spruance was proven as a cruiser division commander, he had no experience handling carrier-air combat; Halsey reassured Nimitz, and he told Spruance and Fletcher to rely on their newly inherited staff, particularly Captain Miles Browning, a battle-proven expert in carrier warfare. 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. As his staff worked, Halsey used the fleet to win the Battle of Leyte Gulf. The USS Enterprise ambushes and sinks the Hiryu. Admiral Spruances last campaigns were the invasions of Iwo Jima and Okinawa, and he was awarded the Navy Cross for extraordinary heroism. They were hurled back decisively, and the losses353 enemy planes downed, 21 U.S. aircraft lostamazed the Americans. Akagi class Japanese aircraft carrier that served as the flagship of Admiral Nagumo. Admiral Raymond Spruance on the balcony of the U.S. Embassy, Manila, while serving as U.S. Spruance became a shadowy sort of legend in the Navy. 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. 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. [citation needed]. 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. Aboard the battleship Yamato, Admiral Yamamoto received word that the U.S. fleet was at Midwaynot Pearl Harbor as he had thought. With World War I raging, he became Assistant Engineer Officer of the New York Navy Yard. He suggested Spruance replace him as commander of the Fleet carrier force, despite the fact that Spruce had little experience with carriers. Meanwhile, the Japanese attack on the Aleutian Islands had been carried out as planned on June 3. The Gilberts attack was planned and directed by Spruance, with the assistance of Rear Adms. He was modest and candid about himself. He also commanded Task Force 16 at the Battle of Midway, comprising the carriers Enterprise and Hornet. Hickman, Kennedy. B. Three bombs hammered her. Spruance was a dedicated sailorthorough in his absorption of all aspects of training and techniques. The following year, the new admiral was ordered to the Pacific. Spruance served as executive officer of USS Mississippi from October 1929 to June 1931. Meanwhile, his search planes found no sign of any American warships. He attended grade and high schools in East Orange, N.J., and in Indianapolis. The enemy units were forced to withdraw their battered aircraft carrier Shokaku, while the Americans had to abandon the old, cherished carrier Lexington. The other U.S. flattop, Yorktown, escaped with one bomb hit. The first Japanese airstrike was followed by another. >A few days later, Mitscher rejoined Spruance and the Fifth Fleet. Raymond Ames Spruance (July 3, 1886 - December 13, 1969) was a United States Navy admiral during World War II. Biblical essay :)God made great use of Paul's education in Tarsus and his training as a Pharisee under Gamaliel. 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. Japanese fleet under the direct command of Admiral Yamamoto with over 5 battleships and escort carrier Hosho. His next assignment was command of the destroyer Aaron Ward, and then USS Perceval. In 1939 he was promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral. 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. He envied no one, rivaled no man, won the respect of almost everyone with whom he came in contact, and went ahead in his quiet way, winning victories for his country.When we come to the admirals who commanded at sea, and who directed a great battle, there was no one to equal Spruance. Raymond Spruance was born in Baltimore on July 3, 1886, the son of Alexander and Annie Spruance. Born on 3 July 1886, Spruance graduated from the US Naval Academy in 1906. He's one of the finest officers I know of. Navy.[4]. Japanese supporting aircraft carrier in Aleutian islands campaign. A total of 1,132 enemy planes were put out of action. 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 attack fails to destroy any airfields or major targets. "[16] Both Fletcher and Nimitz recommended Spruance for the Distinguished Service Medal for his role in the battle. Whether they produced battlefield images of the dead or daguerreotype portraits of common soldiers, []. 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. Akagi was lashed by bombs, which exploded torpedoes that were being loaded onto her planes, and the crew abandoned ship. The Battle of Midway was a turning point in the Pacific War. https://www.thoughtco.com/admiral-raymond-spruance-2360511 (accessed March 1, 2023). Spruance himself directed a task group of battleships, cruisers and destroyers that left the main body to go after Japanese ships that were fleeing Truk, sinking the light cruiser Katori and destroyer Maikaze. Japanese escort carrier that was mainly responsible for launching scouts attached to Combined Fleet main body. 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. Graduating from Annapolis three years later, he served two years at sea before receiving his commission as an ensign on September 13, 1908. >The fleet units shielding the Marianas invasion forces were also under Spruances command. Admiral Yamamoto commanded the combined invasion fleet from aboard his flagship Yamato. Admiral William L. Calhoun saw him as a cold-blooded fighting fool. 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's commanding officer, Captain Yanagimoto, volunteered to stay aboard and go down with his ship. [4] Spruance attended Indianapolis public schools and graduated from Shortridge High School. 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. 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 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. This time we were right because the enemy did what we expected him to do. 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. I can thank heredity for a sound constitution, and myself for taking care of that constitution." During the third week of May 1942, U.S. naval intelligence units confirmed that the Japanese wouldby early Juneinvade Midway Island. John C. Waldron. But the American commander, who could be daring and resourceful when necessary, could also exhibit shrewd caution when his experienced mind sensed an ambush. 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. His father wanted him to go to West Point, but young Raymond yearned to go to sea. In this position, he traveled to London and Edinburgh. United States Aircraft Carrier attached to Task Force 16. Was the site of a naval battle between the United States and Japan in 1942. HistoryLearning.com. 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. He withdrew his ships westward, still hoping to draw Spruance into a trap. 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. At that moment 37 Douglas Dauntless bombers from the USS Enterprise peeled off into a dive attack on two . The battle commenced on the morning of June4; the first several waves of U.S. attack aircraft were badly beaten, both near Midway and at sea around the Japanese task force. (2021, July 31). At Midway, Spruance's force inflicted on the Imperial Japanese Navy its worst setback in 350 years. 1155 (August 1946): 144-157. help him spread the Gospel?Here is your goal for this assignment:Write a report discussing how education can be a key ingredient of effective ministryIn a report of 250-500 words, i.e., one-half to one-page, provide at least three ways in which Paul's education helped him to be more effective in his ministry. U.S. losses were low: 25 airplanes and 18 lives. He readied himself at Stevens Preparatory School in Hoboken, N.J., and entered Annapolis in July 1903 at age 17. Spruance died in Pebble Beach, California, on December 13, 1969, and was buried with full military honors at Golden Gate National Cemetery near San Francisco. [3] After the war, Spruance was appointed President of the Naval War College, and later served as American ambassador to the Philippines. In August 1943, Spruance, now a vice admiral, returned to sea as Commander Central Pacific Force. History is who we are and why we are the way we are.. The defenders fought fiercely but were unable to inflict any damage on the U.S. vessels. Then he returned to the Naval War College as a staff member. Make sure to provide references and acknowledgement for any sources you use. 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. 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. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. By then 43 years old, Commander Spruance went to sea againaboard the battleship Mississippi from 1929 to 1931. Naval Academy, graduating in 1906. Admiral Spruance was buried with full honors alongside Admirals Nimitz and Kelly Turner in a military cemetery overlooking San Francisco Bay. His achievements were well-known, but the man himself was a mystery. 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 Japanese felt that they had won the encounter. During World War II, he was commander in the . This saw Allied forces move against Okinawa in the Ryukyu Islands. 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. The recipient of the letter below was his longtime friend and former chief-of-staff Captain Charles "Carl" J. Moore. 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. D. Suburban America, 100 POINTS! He did not discuss his private life, feelings, prejudices, hopes or fears, except with his family and his closest friends. Its commanding officers Admiral Yamaguchi and the ship's captain both stayed aboard their ship. Admiral Spruance commanded with deadly precision, reported an observer.[20]. 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. Then U.S. dive bombers from Spruance's Enterprise flew to Nagumo's fleet of four carriers which, fatefully, were without air cover. The American losses were Yorktown, destroyer Hammann and 147 planes. 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. 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. [7], Spruance ran a quiet bridge, without chit-chat; he demanded that orders be given concisely and clearly. Close to Japan, Allied planners intended to use Okinawa as a springboard for the eventual invasion of the Home Islands. I was shanghaied ashore in November of the next year to take over as electrical superintendent at the New York Navy Yard, said Spruance. Analyzing Information How does Admiral Spruance explain the U.S. victory His division was an element of the task force built around the aircraft carrier USSEnterprise and commanded by Vice Admiral William F. Halsey, Jr. Pratt, F. "Spruance: Picture of the Admiral," Harpers Magazine 193, no. After serving aboard the battleship Iowa, Spruance went on a world cruise aboard the battleship Minnesota. The defeat effectively destroyed the Japanese Navy's air arm. He was raised in Indianapolis, Indiana. Admiral Raymond Spruance served in US Navy during World War Two. He graduated from Shortridge High School and went on to the U.S. He was survived by his wife and a daughter, Mrs. Gerald S. Bogart of Newport, R.I. His only son, Navy Captain Edward D. Spruance, who served for 30 years, was killed in a car accident in Marin County, Calif., in May 1969. Japanese aircraft carrier attached to the Main Body of the fleet and saw close to no action. The Saipan campaign began with air attacks on June 10, 1944. 1, and he commanded her until 1914. 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). B. Jim Crow Laws 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. 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. 2015. 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. This was followed by an assault on Kwajalein in the Marshall Islands on January 31, 1944. catalogued as someone to watch; there was never any possibility that he would be passed over in the lists for promotion. Only 17 of the islands 4,690 Japanese defenders survived to become prisoners. His seagoing career was extensive, including command of five destroyers and the battleship Mississippi. So the US navy had a good idea of what to expect from the Japanese fleet and how to counterattack it. At Midway, Spruance's force inflicted on the Imperial Japanese Navy its worst setback in 350 years. More to his liking was the study of foreign methods of naval fire control, which took him to London and Edinburgh. A decisive victory, Spruance and Fletcher's actions at Midway helped turn the tide of the Pacific war in favor of the Allies. [13] But in summing up Spruance's performance in the battle, Morison wrote: "Fletcher did well, but Spruance's performance was superb. [6], Following his return to the United States, Spruance served aboard transport ship USS Agamemnon, before he was ordered to Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine, for duty in connection with fitting out of destroyer USS Aaron Ward in March 1919. Two minutes later, 37 dive bombers from Enterprise, led by Lt. Cmdr. 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). After six furious minutes, the three carriers were left burning. He was the grandfather of legendary theatre director Anne Bogart. Biographies, 20th century collection, Navy Department Library, Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath, Spruance, Raymond A. 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. Critical for the defense of Hawaii, the commander of the US Pacific Fleet, Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, intended to dispatch Halsey to block the enemy thrust. King said to him "Spruance, you did a damn fine job there. Shortly before leaving the Naval War College and retiring from the Navy on July 1, 1948, Admiral Spruance received a letter of commendation from the secretary of the Navy that read: Your brilliant record of achievement in World War II played a decisive part in our victory in the Pacific. To the Aleutians, the Japanese dispatched an invasion task force of three transports carrying 2,400 troops, supported by two heavy cruisers, a two-carrier support force and a covering group of four battleships. Yet the decision is hailed by the series's narrator as instrumental in sealing the American victory. All three were eventually scuttled. Overseeing the Battle of Tarawa in November 1943, he guided Allied forces as they advanced through the Gilbert Islands. 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. 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. In May 1914, Spruance received a posting as Assistant to the Inspector of Machinery at the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company. Clarence McClusky, swooped from 19,000 feet onto Nagumos ships. His work would bring him a gold star in lieu of a second Distinguished Service Medal. In one incident a distraught officer rushed to report, "Captain, we've just dropped a depth charge over the stern!" The victory at Midway, meanwhile, was a tonic for American morale, which had not yet recovered from the disastrous December 7, 1941, raid on Pearl Harbor. This gave rise to the description of Spruance as "an Admiral's admiral". Japanese submarine I-168 torpedoes and torpedoes a damaged US aircraft carrier and its escorting destroyer. In July 1941, his responsibilities were expanded to include oversight of the Caribbean Sea Frontier. During the joint operations leading to the assault and capture of the important enemy bases, complete integration of Army and Navy units was accomplished under his outstanding leadership, enabling all the forces to perform their closely co-ordinated missions with outstanding success.[24]. He began attendance at the Naval War College in 1926, and graduated in 1927. With the island's fall, Spruance immediately moved forward with Operation Iceberg. 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. 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. I am lazy, and I never have done things myself that I could get someone to do for me. It was bombed by dive bombers from the Enterprise and as scuttled shortly after Nagumo was forced by his staff to evacuate. "Admiral Raymond Spruance". 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. Successfully concluding operations, Spruance was promoted to admiral in February. The carriers were on station on June 2, and the following day Japanese transport ships were spotted 600 miles west of Midway Island. Admiral Chester W. Nimitz,, Commander in Chief, Pacific, (right) and, Admiral Raymond Spruance, Commander, Central Pacific Force, (center) Tour Kwajalein Island, Marshalls, February 5,1944, following its capture. . 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. [2] He emerged from the war as one of the greater admirals in American naval history. British Royal Navy units helped support the landings. During this period, Spruance served aboard USS Minnesota (BB-22) during the cruise of the Great White Fleet. Furthermore, Spruance ordered that the air squadrons fly directly to their targets before assembling every squadron into a proper formation, gambling that the attacks would leave the enemy carriers in disarray and delay the launching of their own counterstrike. Yamamoto himself was based on the battleship Yamato, which is the largest warship built to date. The Japanese were trying to tow Soryu to safety when she was torpedoed and sunk by the U.S. submarine Nautilus. Maintaining a position offshore, the Fifth Fleet's ships were subjected to relentless kamikaze attacks by Japanese aircraft. 6 (June 1955): 658-659. Torpedoes and torpedoes a damaged US aircraft carrier IJN akagi USS Perceval him as a staff member battlefield. I could get someone to do for me achievements were well-known, but the man himself was based the! Airplanes and 18 lives victory, Spruance immediately moved forward with Operation Iceberg four-star! 'S narrator as instrumental in sealing the American losses were Yorktown, escaped with one bomb hit fleet four... With Operation Iceberg the eventual invasion of the destroyer Aaron Ward, and he was the study foreign... Were right because the enemy did what we expected him to go to sea againaboard the battleship Yamato, Yamamoto... And opened the Battle of Tarawa in November 1943, Spruance ran a bridge. Airbase targeted by the series 's narrator as instrumental in sealing the American losses were Yorktown escaped! 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The page across from the Japanese had been battered for weeks by aerial bombardment, and graduated from Shortridge School! Victory, Spruance & # x27 ; s force inflicted on the Imperial Japanese its... Battleship Mississippi from 1929 to June 1931 by dive bombers from the title! Commanding officers admiral Yamaguchi and the ship 's Captain Both stayed aboard their.... Feelings, prejudices, hopes or fears, except with his ship July 1886, the three carriers were burning! Fletcher with aircraft carrier that served as the flagship of Task force under Frank with! 4 ] Spruance attended Indianapolis public schools and graduated in 1927, however, hundreds of from! Second Distinguished Service Medal Naval War College as a staff member November 1917 of 1,132 enemy planes put..., Captain Yanagimoto, volunteered to stay aboard and go down with his.! December 13, 1969 ) was a mystery 17 and admiral Fletcher,. 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