Akagi was lashed by bombs, which exploded torpedoes that were being loaded onto her planes, and the crew abandoned ship. 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. Because of gaps in the search patterns flown by the Japanese, the American carriers were able to approach unseen. This approach of bypassing Japanese strong points, such as Truk, was applied on a large scale as the Allies devised their strategy for moving across the central Pacific. The heavily fortified islands, former British possessions, were of strategic value because of their good landing strips and naval base. Returning to Newport, Spruance remained at the college until retiring from the US Navy on July 1, 1948. 1155 (August 1946): 144-157. He died on 13 December 1969 at the age of 83. From 1952 to 1955 Spruance served as the American ambassador to Philippines. His air group is credited with the sinking of 4 Japanese aircraft carriers during Midway. 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. A bust of Spruance is in the lobby. 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. Leaving, he assumed command of USS Mississippi. 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. He was modest and candid about himself. I finally wangled two months at sea, in 1918, before the war was over. His work would bring him a gold star in lieu of a second Distinguished Service Medal. On 13 May 1945, Admiral Raymond Spruance put pen to paper and described the second kamikaze attack he experienced at Okinawa. 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. Admiral Spruance explained the U.S. victory at Midway in the following way. Capturing and occupying Midway was the brainchild-plan of commander-in-chief of the Combined Fleet, Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto. It was interesting work, but I wouldnt want to do it for a living. He served as an instructor at the Naval War College from 1935 to 1938. Admiral Yamamoto commanded the combined invasion fleet from aboard his flagship Yamato. https://www.thoughtco.com/admiral-raymond-spruance-2360511 (accessed March 1, 2023). Four days after the invasion, all immediate objectives had been taken, and by February 8, 1944, all organized resistance had ceased. The Japanese lost 322 airplanes, most of them going down with the carriers. This occurred at the same time that Admiral Turner's forces were attacking Eniwetok Atoll in the Marshalls, about 700 miles to the east. His flagship was badly damaged by the Japanese and was hit by two torpedoes from a Japanese submarine before sinking. 2015. Two years later, Spruance again received orders for the Naval War College and taught on the staff until April 1938. "Foreward for Midway." US Naval Institute Proceedings 81, no. Biblical essay :)God made great use of Paul's education in Tarsus and his training as a Pharisee under Gamaliel. 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. Admiral Raymond Ames Spruance was a key American naval commander who served in the Pacific Theater of World War II. 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. 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. At 10.26am on 4 June 1942 the course of World War Two in the Pacific changed utterly. Spruance, Raymond A. 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. Whether they produced battlefield images of the dead or daguerreotype portraits of common soldiers, []. He was dragged out of his flagship Akagi before it sank against his will. In one incident a distraught officer rushed to report, "Captain, we've just dropped a depth charge over the stern!" Why was Chester W Nimitz important? Raymond Ames Spruance (July 3, 1886 - December 13, 1969) was a United States Navy admiral in World War II. Navy.[4]. Some people asked why he did not take take advantage of the chaotic scene to attack all of Japans air carriers. For more great articles subscribe to World War II magazine today! It was June 4, Admiral Raymond A. Spruance and Admira Fletcher had to engage four Japanese ships in the Battle of Midway. 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. Weeks later . Covered by fog and lashed by storms most of the time, they were generally unsuitable for air or naval bases. They follow returning American pilots and damage the Yorktown, but receiving more than 50% casualties. Bombs destroyed the bridge of Kaga and set her ablaze from stem to stern. [citation needed]. ), 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. The slow-moving Devastators were easy targets for the Japanese gunners and Mitsubishi A6M2 Zero fighters, and all 15 were shot down. No detail was too small to bring these American prisoners home. Admiral Raymond A. Spruance, U.S. Navy, April 1955 . Spruance became a shadowy sort of legend in the Navy. Kennedy Hickman is a historian, museum director, and curator who specializes in military and naval history. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. The correct answer to this open question is the following. He took part in organising the invasions of Iwo Jima and Okinawa and led the 5th Fleet in these two final battles. Raymond Ames Spruance (July 3, 1886 December 13, 1969) was a United States Navy admiral during World War II. [28], His achievements in the navy were well known, but himself much less. 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. It was hit and sunk by American dive bombers and the submarine USS Nautilus. Notwithstanding their different personalities, Spruance and Halsey were close friends. 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 enjoyed hot chocolate and would make it for himself every morning. Born on 3 July 1886, Spruance graduated from the US Naval Academy in 1906. Spruance was a dedicated sailorthorough in his absorption of all aspects of training and techniques. Spruance is depicted as the controversial victor of Midway by G. D. Spradlin in the 1988 TV miniseries War and Remembrance. He also commanded Task Force 16 at the Battle of Midway, comprising the carriers Enterprise and Hornet. In May 1942, intelligence suggested that the Japanese were planning on assaulting Midway Island. And, off Okinawa, Spruance never faltered in face of the destruction wrought by the kamikazes. 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. So the US navy had a good idea of what to expect from the Japanese fleet and how to counterattack it. Successfully concluding operations, Spruance was promoted to admiral in February. This gave rise to the description of Spruance as "an Admiral's admiral". [12] Spruance assumed command of Task Force 16 with its two carriers, USSEnterprise and USSHornet, under battle command of Admiral Frank Jack Fletcher. B. Towards the end of that year, Spruance commanded a cruiser division supporting Admiral Halsey's carrier, the 'Enterprise', at Wake Island. The surviving carrier, Hiry, gave the Japanese some brief respite by sending strikes that again damaged Yorktown. Terms of Use| At the crucial Battle of Midway your daring and skilled leadership routed the enemy in the full tide of his advance and established the pattern of air-sea warfare which was to lead to his eventual capitulation[24]. Admiral Spruance was buried with full honors alongside Admirals Nimitz and Kelly Turner in a military cemetery overlooking San Francisco Bay. When Yorktown was struck at Midway, however, Fletcher transferred his flag to the cruiser Astoria and placed Spruance tactically in charge. Then it was back to Pebble Beach. Since US intelligence had reported the possibility that the Kido Butai would be operating in two separate task forces, that meant that Fletcher only knew the location of half of the carrier force. Following a stint aboard USS Cincinnati, Spruance was made commander of the destroyer USS Bainbridge in March 1913 with the rank of lieutenant (junior grade). Spruance did not want to leave troops on the Marianas islands unguarded as he chased Jisaburo Ozawas retreating fleet. 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. Once theBattle of the Philippine Sea came to an end, Spruance returned to Pearl Harbour to help plan other landings in the future. No matter what other people tell you, your decision was correct". Japanese naval force tasked with the invasion of the Aleutian Islands under Vice Admiral Kakuta with aircraft carriers Junyo and Ryuho. The Japanese carriers were beginning to launch fighters as Torpedo 8 roared down to attack, without fighter cover. 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. Japanese Vice Admiral in command of the Japanese Carrier strike force based on the Aircraft Carrier IJN Akagi. [7], Spruance ran a quiet bridge, without chit-chat; he demanded that orders be given concisely and clearly. Aircraft carrier that served as the flagship of Task Force 17 and Admiral Fletcher. But their elation was short-lived, for too many Japanese fighters had descended to deal with the torpedo bombers, leaving a window of opportunity for any American dive bombers that arrived. Fletcher quickly ordered his dive bombers to strike, which fatally damaged the fourth Japanese carrier; it was scuttled the next day. 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. Though this gamble paid off, Enterprise air squadrons would pay a heavy price, flying in piece-meal and mostly without fighter escort. A total of 1,132 enemy planes were put out of action. 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. But several hours laternear the end of daylight hoursa U.S. scout plane located Hiry again. United States airbase targeted by the Japanese in preparation to invade Hawaii. The son of Alexander and Annie Spruance, Raymond Ames Spruance was born at Baltimore, MD on July 3, 1886. 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. 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. Always calm, always at peace with himself, Spruance had that ability which marks the great captain to make correct estimates and the right decisions in a fluid battle situation. As the war progressed, Spruance became one of two primary . 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. 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 In the course of a two-hour interview, he stood or walked about all the timenot restlessly, but slowly and deliberately. C. The Roman Catholic Church developed in Constantinople. 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. 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. Raymond Ames Spruance (July 3, 1886 - December 13, 1969) was a United States Navy admiral during World War II.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.He also commanded Task Force 16 at the Battle of Midway, comprising the carriers Enterprise and Hornet. Japanese aircraft carrier attached to the Main Body of the fleet and saw close to no action. Locating the Japanese carriers as they were rearming and refueling their aircraft, American bombers inflicted massive damage and sank three. 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. His torpedo bombershaving switched to bombs for the attack on Midwaywere away, and most of his protective fighters were out on patrol. Both commanders hoped for a classic battle with the Imperial Japanese Navy, but only Mitschers carrier planes were able to reach the enemy. The American toll was 1,100 dead and almost 2,300 wounded. 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. Then U.S. dive bombers from Spruance's Enterprise flew to Nagumo's fleet of four carriers which, fatefully, were without air cover. When she went to sea in 1916, he went with her. With their 233 planes and crews at the ready, the three U.S. flattops were stationed well north of Midway, out of sight of enemy reconnaissance planes. The Japanese felt that they had won the encounter. He was appointed as Ambassador to the Philippines by President Harry S. Truman, and served there from 1952 to 1955. 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. Michio Kobayashi Meanwhile, Task Force 58 was busy in the forefront of clearing the Japanese from the 600-mile-long Marianas chain. B. Jim Crow Laws He was fond of symphonic music, and his tastes were generally simple. The US navy ended up winning the battle and historians consider this a major turning point in the Pacific Theater during World War II. D. The Pope lived in Constantinople. But his service was not yet finished. Naval Academy at Annapolis. Historian Morison later described Spruances performance at Midway as superb. An academic building at the Naval War College was also named for him. Admiral Spruances last campaigns were the invasions of Iwo Jima and Okinawa, and he was awarded the Navy Cross for extraordinary heroism. U.S. losses were low: 25 airplanes and 18 lives. McClusky led one squadron, VB-6, against the carrier Kaga, while the other Enterprise squadron pounced on Nagumos flagship, Akagi. From the remaining enemy carrier, Hiryu, Admiral Tamon Yamaguchi launched bombers and torpedo planes against Yorktown. On April 28, the last day of the invasion, Spruances command was redesignated as the Fifth 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. The Navy, by law, was limited to four Fleet Admirals; three of these appointments were obvious: Ernest King, Chester Nimitz and William Leahy. 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. Mounting a tenacious defense, the Japanese held out for over a month. Raymond Ames Spruance was born in Baltimore, Maryland on July 3, 1886, to Alexander and Annie Spruance, but grew up in Indianapolis. 6 (June 1955): 658-659. 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. Biographies, 20th century collection, Navy Department Library, Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath, Spruance, Raymond A. His tour of sea duty ended in 1921, and he spent the next three years with the Navy Departments Bureau of Engineering and the Doctrine of Aircraft board. Known as "island hopping," U.S. forces moved from island to island, using each as a base for capturing the next. "[16] Both Fletcher and Nimitz recommended Spruance for the Distinguished Service Medal for his role in the battle. Midway Island sent a false message stating that its water distillation plant had been damaged and that the base needed fresh water. Quiet bridge, without chit-chat ; he demanded that orders be given concisely and.... Generally simple second kamikaze attack he experienced at Okinawa the age of 83 when she went sea... Were being loaded onto her planes, and the crew abandoned ship gave the Japanese some brief by! And he was appointed as ambassador to the cruiser Astoria and placed Spruance tactically in charge soldiers [! Dive bombers from Spruance 's Enterprise flew to Nagumo 's fleet of carriers. 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