Admiral Spruances last campaigns were the invasions of Iwo Jima and Okinawa, and he was awarded the Navy Cross for extraordinary heroism. Besides his family, he loved the companionship of his pet schnauzer, Peter. 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. Admiral Spruance explained the U.S. victory at Midway in the following way. Admiral Ernest J. United States airbase targeted by the Japanese in preparation to invade Hawaii. But due to a printing error on the executive calendar of nominations, Spruance was officially promoted only to his former rank of vice admiral. Lieutenant in command of the USS Enterprise air group. With the battleship's completion, Spruance joined its crew and remained aboard until November 1917. Spruance was calculating and cautious. I was shanghaied ashore in November of the next year to take over as electrical superintendent at the New York Navy Yard, said Spruance. 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. 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. Historian Samuel Eliot Morison believed he was one of the greatest fighting and thinking admirals in American naval history. The defenders fought fiercely but were unable to inflict any damage on the U.S. vessels. Then, reflect on the education opportunities that God has provided us today. "[16] Both Fletcher and Nimitz recommended Spruance for the Distinguished Service Medal for his role in the battle. The two admirals were a contrast in styles. [22] Spruance later chose the battleship USSNew Jersey as his flagship, as the huge Iowa-class battleship had both room for his staff and the speed to keep up with the fast carrier task forces. Following the war, Spruance served as US Ambassador to the Philippines from 1952 to 1955. His seagoing career was extensive, including command of five destroyers and the battleship Mississippi. The Americans lost 74 carrier planes; the Japanese 80. 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. He began attendance at the Naval War College in 1926, and graduated in 1927. Admiral William L. Calhoun saw him as a cold-blooded fighting fool. Born on 3 July 1886, Spruance graduated from the US Naval Academy in 1906. 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. 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. The U.S. Navy intercept force centered on the three carriers Enterprise, Hornet, and Yorktown, and their air-attack squadrons. 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. Admiral Yamamoto commanded the combined invasion fleet from aboard his flagship Yamato. [9] On the other hand, commander-in-chief of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, Admiral Chester Nimitz knew he must intercept the Japanese invasion fleet, and that he must give battle to the enemy aircraft carriers before they could project their overwhelming power against the naval air station at Midway. Then it was back to Pebble Beach. 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. In this state the Japanese carriers would be extremely vulnerable. He graduated from Shortridge High School and went on to the U.S. Subscribe to receive our weekly newsletter with top stories from master historians. In October 1946 he was awarded the Armys Distinguished Service Medal for his exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services during the capture of the Marshall and Mariana islands. On April 1, Spruance began the Battle of Okinawa. In 1964 an Ohio woman took up the challenge that had led to Amelia Earharts disappearance. A. After these victories, Spruance went back to Pearl Harbour to assist with planning Japans invasion. 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 . Recently promoted to rear admiral, Spruance was assigned to command a division of cruisers in the Pacific under Admiral Nimitz in 1941. The Battle of Midway was fought June 4-7, 1942, during World War II (1939-1945) and was the turning point of the war in the Pacific. Notwithstanding their different personalities, Spruance and Halsey were close friends. A bust of Spruance is in the lobby. Raymond Ames Spruance was born in Baltimore, Maryland on July 3, 1886, to Alexander and Annie Spruance, but grew up in Indianapolis. In the first months of World War II in the Pacific, Spruance commanded the four heavy cruisers and support ships of Cruiser Division Five from his flagship, the heavy cruiser USSNorthampton. Although there are no options attached we can say the following. United States Rear Admiral in command of Task Force 17 on the USS Yorktown. Thus the Americans knew the Japanese planned to move toward Midway. 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. The main auditorium of the U.S. HistoryNet.com contains daily features, photo galleries and over 25,000 articles originally published in our nine magazines. On June 4, Spruance and Fletcher engaged four Japanese carriers at the Battle of Midway. Spruance began World War II as a gunship admiral, commanding a division of . In August 1943, Spruance, now a vice admiral, returned to sea as Commander Central Pacific Force. Spruance was born in Baltimore, Maryland, on July 3, 1886, to Alexander and Annie Hiss Spruance. [7], Spruance served in Washington until early 1924, when he was ordered to the headquarters, Commander Naval Force in Europe. His squadron successfully ambushed and sank 3 Japanese Aircraft Carriers, Lieutenant in command of the USS Hornet air group. With Okinawa's fall in June, Spruance rotated back to Pearl Harbor to begin planning the invasion of Japan. He was a diligent, neat and gentle boy. Early on the morning of Thursday, June 4, 1942, Nagumos carriers launched a 108-plane strike against Midway and inflicted When she went to sea in 1916, he went with her. The Eastern Orthodox Church developed from the church in Constantinople. 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. The Americans lost only 17 planes and no ships. "[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]. 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. The Gilberts attack was planned and directed by Spruance, with the assistance of Rear Adms. Hiryu class Japanese aircraft carrier that was the flagship of the second detachment of the carrier strike force. His air group is credited with the sinking of 4 Japanese aircraft carriers during Midway. No matter what other people tell you, your decision was correct". Covered by fog and lashed by storms most of the time, they were generally unsuitable for air or naval bases. Raised in Indianapolis, IN, he attended school locally and graduated from Shortridge High School. Leaving, he assumed command of USS Mississippi. My mind is blank. Navy Secretary Frank Knox said of Kwajalein: The Japanese had been there 20 years. (2021, July 31). 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 He was decorated with Order of Leopold and Croix de guerre with Palm by the Government of Belgium for his service for the Allied cause.[26]. Mounting a tenacious defense, the Japanese held out for over a month. >On March 29, 1944, Admiral Spruance took tactical command of a three-pronged assault against the Palau Islands, 550 miles east of the Philippines, and against Yap Island and Ulithi Atoll in the western Carolines. 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. 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. ThoughtCo, Jul. Lieutenant in command of the USS Yorktown air group. The Japanese navy could never accept this catastrophic loss. 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. 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. 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. When Yorktown was struck at Midway, however, Fletcher transferred his flag to the cruiser Astoria and placed Spruance tactically in charge. Calm, collected, decisive, yet receptive to advice; keeping in his mind the picture of widely disparate forces, yet boldly seizing every opening. 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. 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. Japanese aircraft carrier squadron under the command of Chuichi Nagumo in command of aircraft carriers Akagi, Kaga, Soryu, and Hiryu. The Navy honored Spruance by giving his name to a new class of 30 destroyers, the first of which, USS Spruance, was launched in 1973. 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. World War II: Fleet Admiral William Halsey Jr. World War II Pacific: The Japanese Advance Stopped, M.S., Information and Library Science, Drexel University, B.A., History and Political Science, Pennsylvania State University. 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