The enemy units were forced to withdraw their battered aircraft carrier Shokaku, while the Americans had to abandon the old, cherished carrier Lexington. The Japanese had been overconfident, and the Americans taught them a bitter lesson. 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. He readied himself at Stevens Preparatory School in Hoboken, N.J., and entered Annapolis in July 1903 at age 17. Spruance was put in command of Task Force 16, which included two carriers: USS Enterprise and USS Hornet, and was instrumental in the decisive US victory in the Battle of Midway. Spruance was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, and in May 1943 he was promoted to vice admiral. He graduated from the U.S. Aircraft carrier that served as the flagship of Task Force 17 and Admiral Fletcher. Close to Japan, Allied planners intended to use Okinawa as a springboard for the eventual invasion of the Home Islands. 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. Determining that New Mexico was not too badly damaged to remain on station Spruance kept her as his flagship for the rest of the campaign. The carriers were on station on June 2, and the following day Japanese transport ships were spotted 600 miles west of Midway Island. Spruances naval guns started their bombardment two days later. 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. Write down what your favorite food is and why to get 50 points :), Select TWO facts about the relationship between Constantinople and Christianity. For his actions at Iwo Jima and Okinawa, Spruance was awarded the Navy Cross. In July 1907 he transferred to the battleship Minnesota and was aboard her during the historic around the world cruise of the Great White Fleet from 1907 to 1909. [7], Spruance ran a quiet bridge, without chit-chat; he demanded that orders be given concisely and clearly. Admiral Yamamoto commanded the combined invasion fleet from aboard his flagship Yamato. The Japanese had been battered for weeks by aerial bombardment, and knew the invasion was imminent. 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. Arriving back in the United States, he underwent additional training in electrical engineering at General Electric before being posted to USS Connecticut (BB-18) in May 1910. From there, he went on to graduate from the U.S. At 8:20 a.m., Nagumos observers reported a group of American ships 200 miles away. On October 16, 1946, the former Secretary of War, Robert P. Patterson, presented the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Admiral Spruance, with citation as follows: Admiral Raymond A. Spruance, U.S. Navy, as Task Force Commander during the capture of the Marshall and Marianas Islands, rendered exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services from January to June 1944. The struggle by the U.S. Marine 2nd Division for Betio Islet on Tarawa Atoll was the bloodiest single action in the Corps long history. These attacks were followed by a raid against Marcus Island. History is who we are and why we are the way we are.. Moving forward in mid-1944, Spruance embarked on a campaign in the Marianas Islands. On April 28, the last day of the invasion, Spruances command was redesignated as the Fifth Fleet. The battle would open in the mist-shrouded Aleutians with airstrikes against Dutch Harbor on June 3, followed by landings at three points on June 6. 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. "Admiral Raymond Spruance". His seagoing career was extensive, including command of five destroyers and the battleship Mississippi. As the island-hopping campaign began, MacArthur continued his . Admiral William L. Calhoun saw him as a cold-blooded fighting fool. Because of gaps in the search patterns flown by the Japanese, the American carriers were able to approach unseen. United States Rear Admiral in command of Task Force 17 on the USS Yorktown. Commanded the first Japanese air strike against Midway Island at the beginning of the battle. In June 1931, Spruance returned to Newport, RI to serve on the staff of the Naval War College. Only 17 of the islands 4,690 Japanese defenders survived to become prisoners. Ambassador to the Philippines in 1952-55. 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. In August 1943 Spruance was placed in command of the Central Pacific Force, which, on April 29, 1944, was redesignated as the Fifth Fleet. >A few days later, Mitscher rejoined Spruance and the Fifth Fleet. Richmond Kelly Turner and Harry W. Hill and Marine Generals Holland M. Smith and Julian C. Smith. Spruance rewarded his trust by playing a decisive role in the US victory at the Battle Of Midway. Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island, is named Spruance Hall. Admiral Raymond Ames Spruance was a key American naval commander who served in the Pacific Theater of World War II. The gallant carrier was crippled but nearly succeeded in reaching safety before torpedoes from Japanese submarine I-68 finally sank her three days later. Why was Chester W Nimitz important? At the end of the Second World War Congress created a limited number of five-star ranks for the Army and the Navy, designated General of the Army and Fleet Admiral. Yorktown and Task Force 17 were under the command of Rear Adm. Frank Jack Fletcher. For most of the war, Spruance preferred to use the heavy cruiser USSIndianapolis, named for his hometown, as his flagship. In this position, he traveled to London and Edinburgh. The Japanese navy could never accept this catastrophic loss. "Foreward for Midway." US Naval Institute Proceedings 81, no. However, Spruances fleet was also charged with guarding the amphibious landings at Saipan and Tinian. The score was 402 Japanese planes and six ships, with a loss of 122 planes from Mitschers flattops. He studied hard, and when he graduated in September 1906, he stood 26th in his class. Raymond Ames Spruance as Ambassador to the Republic of the Philippines Admiral Raymond A. Spruance, Vice Admiral Marc A. Mitscher, Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz and Vice Admiral Willis A. Lee - 1945 Admiral Raymond Spruance on the balcony of the U.S. Embassy, Manila, while serving as U.S. 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. 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. [14][15] For his actions at the battle of Midway Rear Admiral Spruance was awarded the Navy Distinguished Service Medal and cited as follows: "For exceptionally meritorious service as Task Force Commander, United States Pacific Fleet. In the seven-week campaign, 55 Japanese ships were sunk, five probably sunk and 74 damaged. 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. It was June 4, Admiral Raymond A. Spruance and Admira Fletcher had to engage four Japanese ships in the Battle of Midway. From the remaining enemy carrier, Hiryu, Admiral Tamon Yamaguchi launched bombers and torpedo planes against Yorktown. Known for his calm in moments of crisis, Admiral Spruance became one of the U.S. Navy's largest assets in World War II. The two admirals were a contrast in styles. However, his actions were both praised and understood by the main persons ordering and directly involved in the battle. 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. [32] Wouk writes in his book that "Spruance escaped [the Japanese fleet admiral] Yamamoto's terrible trap by acting on perfect military instinct. How can these and the knowledge they provide be used to spread His Word? It was spotted by scouts from the USS Hornet and destroyed by planes from the Enterprise. Admiral William L. Calhoun saw him as a cold-blooded fighting fool. Four days after the invasion, all immediate objectives had been taken, and by February 8, 1944, all organized resistance had ceased. Web. He advanced quickly through the ranks, becoming an admiral in 1944. Historian Morison later described Spruances performance at Midway as superb. 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). 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. 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. [17], The Battle of Midway is considered by many to be a turning point of the war in the Pacific, along with the Guadalcanal campaign. Japanese Vice Admiral in command of the Japanese Carrier strike force based on the Aircraft Carrier IJN Akagi. In July 1941, his responsibilities were expanded to include oversight of the Caribbean Sea Frontier. 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. He was drafted on short notice for his date with destiny. [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. 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. Hickman, Kennedy. Naval Academy, graduating in 1906. He lived quietly at Pebble Beach until December 13, 1969, when he died of arteriosclerosis at the age of 83. The Japanese felt that they had won the encounter. Midway bought the United States valuable time until the new Essex-class fleet carriers became available at the end of the year. 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. "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 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. Japanese fleet in charge of landing army units on Midway. Then Nagumos force was spotted by torpedo bombers from Hornets squadron VT-8, led by Lt. Cmdr. 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. Spruance began World War II as a gunship admiral, commanding a division of . More to his liking was the study of foreign methods of naval fire control, which took him to London and Edinburgh. Raymond Ames Spruance (July 3, 1886 December 13, 1969) was a United States Navy admiral during World War II. 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. That is how the US navy could inflict great damage to the Japanese fleet and aircraft. 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. . Spruance became a shadowy sort of legend in the Navy. McClusky led one squadron, VB-6, against the carrier Kaga, while the other Enterprise squadron pounced on Nagumos flagship, Akagi. When she went to sea in 1916, he went with her. 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. They find and score 3 hits on the USS Yorktown, but also sustain heavy losses. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Spruances performance at Midway so impressed Admiral Nimitz that he made him his chief of staff. 31, 2021, thoughtco.com/admiral-raymond-spruance-2360511. I finally wangled two months at sea, in 1918, before the war was over. It is regrettable that, owing to Spruances innate modesty and his refusal to create an image of himself in the public eye, he was never properly appreciated. It was bombed by dive bombers from the Enterprise and as scuttled shortly after Nagumo was forced by his staff to evacuate. 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. At the Battle of the Coral Sea, the Japanese won a tactical victory, but suffered an operational-level defeat: it did not invade Port . I am lazy, and I never have done things myself that I could get someone to do for me. This was in July 1938, and this time he was the battleships commander. He organized the Japanese counterattack on the American carriers and is credited with the sinking of the USS Yorktown, the only American Carrier sunk at Midway. Nimitz had no battleships left after the Pearl Harbor attack, and after the Battle of the Coral Sea there were only two flattops ready for action, Enterprise and Hornet. The two admirals presented a contrast in styles as Spruance tended to be quiet and meticulous while Halsey was brash and more impetuous. He was dragged out of his flagship Akagi before it sank against his will. During the attacks, the Japanese lost twelve warships, thirty-two merchant ships, and 249 aircraft. Biographies, 20th century collection, Navy Department Library. The other U.S. flattop, Yorktown, escaped with one bomb hit. My personal congratulations. Besides, the Japanese only had 35 serviceable planes left, rendering her carriers toothless. Fletcher quickly ordered his dive bombers to strike, which fatally damaged the fourth Japanese carrier; it was scuttled the next day. This article was written by Michael D. Hull and originally appeared in the May 1998 issue of World War II magazine. The heavily fortified islands, former British possessions, were of strategic value because of their good landing strips and naval base. On April 1, Spruance began the Battle of Okinawa. Lieutenant Commander Maxwell Leslies VB-3 from Yorktown attacked the carrier Soryu. For that assault, Spruance led the most powerful naval strike force in history. Flagship of Kakuta. Serving in Manila, Spruance remained abroad until resigning his post in 1955. 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. 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. Unites States Rear Admiral in command of Task Force 16 on the USS Enterprise. 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 His division was an element of the task force built around the aircraft carrier USSEnterprise and commanded by Vice Admiral William F. Halsey, Jr. 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. 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