After serving aboard the battleship Iowa, Spruance went on a world cruise aboard the battleship Minnesota. Hiryu class Japanese aircraft carrier that was part of the second detachment of the Japanese carrier strike force. 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. At the Battle of the Coral Sea, the Japanese won a tactical victory, but suffered an operational-level defeat: it did not invade Port . . The young, ambitious officer was then assigned to Bainbridge, U.S. destroyer No. . He is responsible for the Japanese battle plan to attack Midway and the Aleutian Islands. Spruance rewarded his trust by playing a decisive role in the US victory at the Battle Of Midway. 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. He was drafted on short notice for his date with destiny. He commanded the battleship USS Mississippi from April 1938 to December 1939, when he was promoted to rear admiral. This site is using cookies under cookie policy . 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. A total of 1,132 enemy planes were put out of action. The other U.S. flattop, Yorktown, escaped with one bomb hit. 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. The correct answer to this open question is the following. 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. ThoughtCo, Jul. The Japanese planned to outwit the U.S. forces at Midway. Only 17 of the islands 4,690 Japanese defenders survived to become prisoners. 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. 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. Spruance was an active man who thought nothing of walking eight or 10 miles a day. 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. Historian Morison later described Spruances performance at Midway as superb. (2021, July 31). US Naval Task Force under Frank Fletcher with aircraft carrier Yorktown. 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. 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. 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). 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). During WWII Italian Commandos Were Tasked to Ride Torpedoes. 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. History is who we are and why we are the way we are.. Hickman, Kennedy. [2] He emerged from the war as one of the greater admirals in American naval history. Raymond Ames Spruance (July 3, 1886 - December 13, 1969) was a United States Navy admiral in World War II. In May 1942, intelligence suggested that the Japanese were planning on assaulting Midway Island. Admiral Raymond A. Spruance, U.S. Navy, April 1955 . In this state the Japanese carriers would be extremely vulnerable. ), honoris causa degree from Central Philippine University in 1955, an institution of higher learning founded by the American Baptist missionary, William Orison Valentine in 1905. While both Fletcher and Spruance were rear admirals, Fletcher was senior and nominally in overall command. Naval Academy in 1906 and from the Naval War College in 1927 where he taught for a few years. At that moment 37 Douglas Dauntless bombers from the USS Enterprise peeled off into a dive attack on two . The following year, the new admiral was ordered to the Pacific. Samuel Eliot Morison agreed: Power of decision and coolness in action were perhaps Spruances leading characteristics. In July 1941, his responsibilities were expanded to include oversight of the Caribbean Sea Frontier. Calm, collected, decisive, yet receptive to advice; keeping in his mind the picture of widely disparate forces, yet boldly seizing every opening. Advertisement Still have questions? Lieutenant in command of the USS Yorktown air group. In May 1914, Spruance received a posting as Assistant to the Inspector of Machinery at the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company. B. Jim Crow Laws Akagi was lashed by bombs, which exploded torpedoes that were being loaded onto her planes, and the crew abandoned ship. 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. 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 American toll was 1,100 dead and almost 2,300 wounded. This time we were right because the enemy did what we expected him to do. He took part in organising the invasions of Iwo Jima and Okinawa and led the 5th Fleet in these two final battles. All four of Japans aircraft carriers were sunk, devastating Japans ambitions in the Pacific. the prospects for its inclusion in doctrine The logical starting point is Admiral Chester Nimitz's famous "letter of instruction" (actually, of course, transmitted . 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. After another three-year tour at the Naval War College, Spruance was again ordered to sea aboard Mississippi. The US intelligence services could predict the way the Japanese carriers and planes would be approaching the battle. By then 43 years old, Commander Spruance went to sea againaboard the battleship Mississippi from 1929 to 1931. "[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]. 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. Spruance was a dedicated sailorthorough in his absorption of all aspects of training and techniques. [25], Spruance was President of the Naval War College from February 1946 until he retired from the Navy in July 1948. The three-day operation was the most extensive ever undertaken by carriers. 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. The U.S. fleet lost fewer men, but it lost a fleet carrier while the Japanese lost only the light carrier Shoho. President Harry S. Truman appointed him ambassador to the Philippines in January 1952, and he served until March 1955. With the island's fall, Spruance immediately moved forward with Operation Iceberg. Spruance graduated from the U.S. The Coral Sea fight was virtually a warm-up for the Battle of Midway, regarded later as the turning point of the war in the Pacific. 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. Spruance was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, and in May 1943 he was promoted to vice admiral. A number of torpedo squadrons from the airfields and carriers launch attacks on the Japanese carriers but score no hits and almost all planes involved were shot down. "Foreward for Midway." US Naval Institute Proceedings 81, no. I finally wangled two months at sea, in 1918, before the war was over. He has appeared on The History Channel as a featured expert. He also held several engineering, intelligence, staff and Naval War College positions up to the 1940s. The gallant carrier was crippled but nearly succeeded in reaching safety before torpedoes from Japanese submarine I-68 finally sank her three days later. An academic building at the Naval War College was also named for him. Provide at least two examples.Certain lessons in New Testament Survey, as well as outside sources, may be of help to you as you write your report. The fourth was a choice between Halsey and Spruance, and after much deliberation, eventually Halsey was appointed in December 1945. Both commanders hoped for a classic battle with the Imperial Japanese Navy, but only Mitschers carrier planes were able to reach the enemy. After Rome fell, the bishop of Constantinople became the most pow In August 1943 Spruance was placed in command of the Central Pacific Force, which, on April 29, 1944, was redesignated as the Fifth Fleet. By that time, he was said to be an expert on the many engines, instruments and guns that go into a battleship. In the seven-week campaign, 55 Japanese ships were sunk, five probably sunk and 74 damaged. Capturing and occupying Midway was the brainchild-plan of commander-in-chief of the Combined Fleet, Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto. 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. 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. Things did not look hopeful for Spruance and his force on the eve of Midway. Raymond Ames Spruance (July 3, 1886 December 13, 1969) was a United States Navy admiral during World War II. Following the campaign, Spruance turned the fleet over to Halsey and began planning operations to capture Iwo Jima. Halsey was aggressive and a risk taker. He loved to show them to visitors. I can thank heredity for a sound constitution, and myself for taking care of that constitution." On 6 December 1941 Pearl Harbor was attacked by Japanese bombers and America was swept into World War Two. Though Spruance had not led a carrier force in the past, Nimitz agreed as the rear admiral would be aided by Halsey's staff, including the gifted Captain Miles Browning. During the last year of World War I he was assigned as Assistant Engineer Officer of the New York Naval Shipyard, and carried out temporary duty in London, England and Edinburgh, Scotland. Though this gamble paid off, Enterprise air squadrons would pay a heavy price, flying in piece-meal and mostly without fighter escort. The U.S. Navy intercept force centered on the three carriers Enterprise, Hornet, and Yorktown, and their air-attack squadrons. He attended grade and high schools in East Orange, N.J., and in Indianapolis. [28], His achievements in the navy were well known, but himself much less. B. 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]. Admiral Yamaguchi and the Hiryu's captain decide to stay aboard the ship. They find and score 3 hits on the USS Yorktown, but also sustain heavy losses. 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. After working to defend neutral American shipping from German U-boats, Spruance received orders to take over Cruiser Division Five in September 1941. He was uniquely modest and candid about himself all his life. Known as "island hopping," U.S. forces moved from island to island, using each as a base for capturing the next. Enterprise dive bombers critically damaged two Japanese carriers including Nagumo's flagship Akagi; while the Yorktown air group, launched after Fletcher was confident that all Japanese carriers were accounted for, crippled the Soryu. 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. The main auditorium of the U.S. 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. Historian Samuel Eliot Morison believed he was one of the greatest fighting and thinking admirals in American naval history. A. Desegregation of Society 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. 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. His chance would come. Admiral Yamamoto commanded the combined invasion fleet from aboard his flagship Yamato. 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. In 1949, naval historian Samuel Eliot Morison noted that Spruance was subjected to criticism for not pursuing the retreating Japanese and allowing the surface fleet to escape. The attack fails to destroy any airfields or major targets. There are submarines, there are mini-submarines, and then there are human torpedoes. Moving forward in mid-1944, Spruance embarked on a campaign in the Marianas Islands. That achievement brought praise from Churchill, who wrote to Navy Secretary James Forrestal, Admiral Spruance is again to be congratulated for another fine job. 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. US Naval Task force under Raymond Spruance with 2 carriers, Enterprise and Hornet. In April 1942 he offered support to carriers that launched the Doolittle Raid, an air raid on Tokyo and other parts of Honshu island. Admiral Raymond A. Spruance displayed outstanding leadership and command capabilities during the battle that turned the tide in the Pacific. Morisons text refers to Spruance, victor at Midway. HistoryNet.com contains daily features, photo galleries and over 25,000 articles originally published in our nine magazines. Japanese fleet in charge of landing army units on Midway. This gave rise to the description of Spruance as "an Admiral's admiral". Then he returned to the Naval War College as a staff member. British Royal Navy units helped support the landings. 7 reviews. At 0530 June 4, a scout plane from Midway sighted the Kido Butai, however the scout only reported sighting "Two carriers and battleships", and giving course and speed. But we went in and took their possessions in a few days, without the loss of a single ship. The Turning Point in the Pacific. 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. That is how the US navy could inflict great damage to the Japanese fleet and aircraft. "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 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 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. 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. He disliked personal publicity and had a reputation for freezing reporters who invaded his privacy. On April 1, Spruance began the Battle of Okinawa. Known for his calm in moments of crisis, Admiral Spruance became one of the U.S. Navy's largest assets in World War II. Akagi class Japanese aircraft carrier that served as the flagship of Admiral Nagumo. 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. 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 succeeded Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz as Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet and Pacific Ocean Areas in November 1945, a few months after the end of the war. For more great articles subscribe to World War II magazine today! The month before, American and Japanese naval units had fought the Battle of the Coral Sea, and both closely matched sides had suffered. Close to Japan, Allied planners intended to use Okinawa as a springboard for the eventual invasion of the Home Islands. He graduated from the U.S. The Japanese had been battered for weeks by aerial bombardment, and knew the invasion was imminent. On February 19, American forces landed and opened the Battle of Iwo Jima. His squadron successfully ambushed and sank 3 Japanese Aircraft Carriers, Lieutenant in command of the USS Hornet air group. Although there are no options attached we can say the following. 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. Ambassador to the Philippines in 1952-55. His wife, Margaret Dean (18881985), is buried alongside him, as are Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz, his longtime friend Admiral Richmond K. Turner, and Admiral Charles A. Lockwood, an arrangement made by all of them while living. 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. Raymond Ames Spruance (July 3, 1886 - December 13, 1969) was a United States Navy admiral during World War II. 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. He's one of the finest officers I know of. He held that post until the following February, when he was ordered back to the Naval War College at Newportthis time as president. My mind is blank. In the fighting, the Japanese lost three carriers and around 600 aircraft. This article was written by Michael D. Hull and originally appeared in the May 1998 issue of World War II magazine. His classmates included Arthur L. Bristol, William L. Calhoun, William A. Glassford, Charles C. Hartigan, Aubrey W. Fitch, Frank J. Fletcher, Robert L. Ghormley, Isaac C. Kidd, John S. McCain Sr., Leigh Noyes, Ferdinand L. Reichmuth, John H. Towers, Russell Willson, and Thomas Withers. 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