On June 19, however, hundreds of planes from nine Japanese aircraft carriers attacked the Fifth Fleet. 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. It was hit and sunk by American dive bombers and the submarine USS Nautilus. On November 24, Spruance relieved Nimitz as Commander, US Pacific 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. At Midway, Spruance's force inflicted on the Imperial Japanese Navy its worst setback in 350 years. United States Aircraft Carrier attached to Task Force 16. Four days after the invasion, all immediate objectives had been taken, and by February 8, 1944, all organized resistance had ceased. He was promoted to captain in 1932, and the following year he was assigned as chief of staff and aide to the commander of a destroyer scouting force. With the island's fall, Spruance immediately moved forward with Operation Iceberg. [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. Two minutes later, 37 dive bombers from Enterprise, led by Lt. Cmdr. 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. Born on 3 July 1886, Spruance graduated from the US Naval Academy in 1906. 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. After his funeral, he was buried at Golden Gate National Cemetery near the grave of his wartime commander, Nimitz. McClusky led one squadron, VB-6, against the carrier Kaga, while the other Enterprise squadron pounced on Nagumos flagship, Akagi. Yorktown and Task Force 17 were under the command of Rear Adm. Frank Jack Fletcher. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. This was in July 1938, and this time he was the battleships commander. He advanced quickly through the ranks, becoming an admiral in 1944. Historian Morison later described Spruances performance at Midway as superb. The setback in the Japanese timetable to encircle the Pacific gave the U.S. industrial machine time to crank up war production, and ultimately, to turn the advantage on Japan in the production of ships, planes, guns, and all the other matriel of war. 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. Two years later, he aided in the fitting out of USS Pennsylvania (BB-38) then under construction in the yard. As the island-hopping campaign began, MacArthur continued his . But his service was not yet finished. That achievement brought praise from Churchill, who wrote to Navy Secretary James Forrestal, Admiral Spruance is again to be congratulated for another fine job. Advertisement Still have questions? "Well, pick it up and put it back," was Spruance's measured response.[8]. By shortly after 9 a.m., planes from Yorktown were also on their way. When Yorktown was struck at Midway, however, Fletcher transferred his flag to the cruiser Astoria and placed Spruance tactically in charge. For the main Midway assault, the Japanese force consisted of the main battle fleet under Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, composed of three battleships, a light carrier and a destroyer screen; Admiral Chuichi Nagumos combined fleet of two battleships, two heavy cruisers, destroyers and four fleet carriers carrying more than 250 aircraft; and an invasion task force led by Admiral Nobutake Kondo, consisting of a dozen transport ships carrying 5,000 troops, closely supported by four heavy cruisers, two battleships and a light carrier; and a three-cordon submarine force intended to neutralize U.S. countermoves. Following the war, Spruance served as US Ambassador to the Philippines from 1952 to 1955. Then it was back to Pebble Beach. Spruance was born in Baltimore, Maryland, on July 3, 1886, to Alexander and Annie Hiss Spruance. She went down with Admiral Yamaguchi, an outstanding flag officer who, it was said, would have been Yamamotos successor had he lived. (. Samuel Eliot Morison agreed: Power of decision and coolness in action were perhaps Spruances leading characteristics. The attack fails to destroy any airfields or major targets. Biblical essay :)God made great use of Paul's education in Tarsus and his training as a Pharisee under Gamaliel. Because of gaps in the search patterns flown by the Japanese, the American carriers were able to approach unseen. World War II: Admiral Frank Jack Fletcher, World War II: Battle of the Philippine Sea. 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. President Harry S. Truman appointed him ambassador to the Philippines in January 1952, and he served until March 1955. The U.S. casualties were 199 planes, 128 flight personnel and damage to four warships. 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. After further schooling at the Stevens Preparatory School in New Jersey, Spruance applied to and was accepted by the US Naval Academy in 1903. This site is using cookies under cookie policy . He loved to show them to visitors. In 1939 he was promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral. They would draw them north to deal with a Japanese invasion in the bleak Aleutian Islands, and then strike at unprotected Midway. During World War II, he was commander in the . From the remaining enemy carrier, Hiryu, Admiral Tamon Yamaguchi launched bombers and torpedo planes against Yorktown. Historian Samuel Eliot Morison believed he was one of the greatest fighting and thinking admirals in American naval history. Raymond A. Spruance. 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. Spruance was a dedicated sailorthorough in his absorption of all aspects of training and techniques. However, an invasion was rendered unnecessary when the atomic bomb was used on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945. . Moving forward in mid-1944, Spruance embarked on a campaign in the Marianas Islands. After the enemys raids on Midway, Admiral Spruance ordered the launching of every possible plane to search for and attack the Japanese carriers. 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. Subscribe to receive our weekly newsletter with top stories from master historians. The Gilberts attack was planned and directed by Spruance, with the assistance of Rear Adms. Admiral Chester W. Nimitz called him a fine man, a sterling character, and a great leader, and said, nothing you can say about him would be praise enough. 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. Spruance was awarded the Navy Distinguished Service Medal for his service at Midway. Whether they produced battlefield images of the dead or daguerreotype portraits of common soldiers, []. At 8:20 a.m., Nagumos observers reported a group of American ships 200 miles away. This gave rise to the description of Spruance as "an Admiral's admiral". 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. US Naval Task force under Raymond Spruance with 2 carriers, Enterprise and Hornet. Shortly before his retirement, Spruance received the following Letter of Commendation from the Secretary of the Navy: Your brilliant record of achievement in World War II played a decisive part in our victory in the Pacific. Though this gamble paid off, Enterprise air squadrons would pay a heavy price, flying in piece-meal and mostly without fighter escort. D. Suburban America, 100 POINTS! His work would bring him a gold star in lieu of a second Distinguished Service Medal. The Eastern Orthodox Church developed from the church in Constantinople. At Midway, Spruances force inflicted on the Imperial Japanese Navy its worst setback in 350 years. 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. Admiral Spruance commanded with deadly precision, reported an observer.[20]. And with this battle the American forces gained, and afterwards continued to gain, hard combat experience; so the Japanese lost that crucial advantage as well. After three days of pre-invasion bombardment, Marines landed on Roi Islet and captured it the same day. It was hit and shortly after destroyed by American dive bombers. 2015. Both commanders hoped for a classic battle with the Imperial Japanese Navy, but only Mitschers carrier planes were able to reach the enemy. Lieutenant in command of the USS Yorktown air group. Japanese fleet under the direct command of Admiral Yamamoto with over 5 battleships and escort carrier Hosho. >A few days later, Mitscher rejoined Spruance and the Fifth Fleet. Michio Kobayashi 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. From 1952 to 1955 Spruance served as the American ambassador to Philippines. Spruance graduated from the U.S. Meanwhile, Task Force 58 was busy in the forefront of clearing the Japanese from the 600-mile-long Marianas chain. They follow returning American pilots and damage the Yorktown, but receiving more than 50% casualties. With World War I raging, he became Assistant Engineer Officer of the New York Navy Yard. 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. His squadron successfully ambushed and sank 3 Japanese Aircraft Carriers, Lieutenant in command of the USS Hornet air group. The US navy ended up winning the battle and historians consider this a major turning point in the Pacific Theater during World War II. 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. That is how the US navy could inflict great damage to the Japanese fleet and aircraft. Carrier units of his force penetrated waters of the Japanese homeland and Nansei Shoto. While screening the American invasion of Saipan in June 1944, Spruance defeated the Japanese fleet in the Battle of the Philippine Sea. But several hours laternear the end of daylight hoursa U.S. scout plane located Hiry again. 1, and he commanded her until 1914. This time we were right because the enemy did what we expected him to do. His division was an element of the task force built around the aircraft carrier USSEnterprise and commanded by Vice Admiral William F. Halsey, Jr. The two admirals were a contrast in styles. [32] Wouk writes in his book that "Spruance escaped [the Japanese fleet admiral] Yamamoto's terrible trap by acting on perfect military instinct. [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. Covered by fog and lashed by storms most of the time, they were generally unsuitable for air or naval bases. Spruance was detached from command of the Fifth Fleet on November 8, 1945, and he relieved Fleet Admiral Nimitz as commander in chief of the U.S. Pacific Fleet and Pacific Ocean areas. His new duties involved planning rather than operations, and Spruance chafed for more action. (2021, July 31). In August 1943, Spruance, now a vice admiral, returned to sea as Commander Central Pacific Force. He was fond of symphonic music, and his tastes were generally simple. 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). My mind is blank. 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. Meanwhile, his search planes found no sign of any American warships. Admiral Raymond Ames Spruance was a key American naval commander who served in the Pacific Theater of World War II. History is a guide to navigation in perilous times. This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The Japanese navy could never accept this catastrophic loss. On April 1, Spruance began the Battle of Okinawa. Spruances naval guns started their bombardment two days later. [28], His achievements in the navy were well known, but himself much less. The US intelligence services could predict the way the Japanese carriers and planes would be approaching the battle. 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. World War II: Admiral Raymond Spruance. 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. On February 19, American forces landed and opened the Battle of Iwo Jima. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. He was the united states navy fleet admiral in the some of the The battle of Midway was one of the most decisive battle in th Admiral Yamamoto Isoroku, Japanese fleet commander, chose to i Akagi was lashed by bombs, which exploded torpedoes that were being loaded onto her planes, and the crew abandoned ship. His torpedo bombershaving switched to bombs for the attack on Midwaywere away, and most of his protective fighters were out on patrol. Privacy Policy, Admiral Raymond Spruance served in US Navy during. He did not discuss his private life, feelings, prejudices, hopes or fears, except with his family and his closest friends. 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how does admiral spruance explain the us victory at midway quizlet