On the afternoon of June 4, 24 American dive bombersincluding 10 refugees from Yorktownscored four hits on Hiryu. During the attacks, the Japanese lost twelve warships, thirty-two merchant ships, and 249 aircraft. His chance would come. In this position, he traveled to London and Edinburgh. 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. Spruance is depicted as the controversial victor of Midway by G. D. Spradlin in the 1988 TV miniseries War and Remembrance. Spruance also held several engineering . Before Midway, a small and fractional U.S. Navy faced an overwhelmingly larger and battle-hardened Japanese Combined Fleet. Japanese Vice Admiral in command of the Japanese Carrier strike force based on the Aircraft Carrier IJN Akagi. Unites States Rear Admiral in command of Task Force 16 on the USS Enterprise. It would become on of the last aircraft carriers to be sunk in a war in all of history during the battle of Leyte Gulf 2-3 years later. Because of gaps in the search patterns flown by the Japanese, the American carriers were able to approach unseen. 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. 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. 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. Born on 3 July 1886, Spruance graduated from the US Naval Academy in 1906. This was followed by a promotion to Deputy Commander in Chief, US Pacific Fleet in September. 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. Fifteen Buffaloes and two Wildcats were lost, but the garrisons anti-aircraft fire was effective. 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. 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 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. After working to defend neutral American shipping from German U-boats, Spruance received orders to take over Cruiser Division Five in September 1941. Naval Academy in 1906,[5] and received further, hands-on education in electrical engineering a few years later. Recently promoted to rear admiral, Spruance was assigned to command a division of cruisers in the Pacific under Admiral Nimitz in 1941. Born on 3 July 1886, Spruance graduated from the US Naval Academy in 1906. The Eastern Orthodox Church developed from the church in Constantinople. 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. It was his job to protect the landing force.[8]. Having attained the rank of commander, Spruance attended the Senior Course at the Naval War College in July 1926. Spruance became Commander of the 5th Fleet in November 1943, which presented him with command of the Central Pacific Forces. 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. 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. Although he broke the back of the Japanese naval air force by sinking three carriers, two oilers and destroying about 600 enemy airplanes (so many that the remaining Japanese carriers were used solely as decoys in the Battle of Leyte Gulf a few months later due to the lack of aircraft and aircrews to fly them) Spruance has been criticized for not being aggressive enough in exploiting his success in the Philippine Sea. 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. Then Nagumos force was spotted by torpedo bombers from Hornets squadron VT-8, led by Lt. Cmdr. This saw him win a victory at Battle of the Philippine Sea in June 1944 as part of the Allied "island-hopping" campaign across the Pacific. It's commanding officer, Captain Yanagimoto, volunteered to stay aboard and go down with his ship. Carrier units of his force penetrated waters of the Japanese homeland and Nansei Shoto. 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. 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). Close to Japan, Allied planners intended to use Okinawa as a springboard for the eventual invasion of the Home Islands. A. The Battle of Midway was the first major victory for the United States over Japan and is seen by many as . The Japanese carriers were beginning to launch fighters as Torpedo 8 roared down to attack, without fighter cover. United States airbase targeted by the Japanese in preparation to invade Hawaii. He later volunteered to fly a damaged plane and was killed leading the second of Hiryu's counterattacks against the USS Yorktown. The Japanese managed to inflict only superficial damage on three ships. Word of the sacrifice of VT-8 stunned the United States, and Churchill was reported to have wept when he heard about it. 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. 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. Following the campaign, Spruance turned the fleet over to Halsey and began planning operations to capture Iwo Jima. Analyzing Information How does Admiral Spruance explain the U.S. victory Admiral Spruance explained the U.S. victory at Midway in the following way. . From 1952 to 1955 Spruance served as the American ambassador to Philippines. Capturing and occupying Midway was the brainchild-plan of commander-in-chief of the Combined Fleet, Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto. For that assault, Spruance led the most powerful naval strike force in history. >A few days later, Mitscher rejoined Spruance and the Fifth Fleet. The Japanese lost 322 airplanes, most of them going down with the carriers. Admiral Raymond Ames Spruance was a key American naval commander who served in the Pacific Theater of World War II. Spruance graduated from the U.S. 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. Navy Secretary Frank Knox said of Kwajalein: The Japanese had been there 20 years. 1155 (August 1946): 144-157. But his service was not yet finished. [21] Buell quotes Spruance speaking with Morison: As a matter of tactics I think that going out after the Japanese and knocking their carriers out would have been much better and more satisfactory than waiting for them to attack us, but we were at the start of a very important and large amphibious operation and we could not afford to gamble and place it in jeopardy. They were hurled back decisively, and the losses353 enemy planes downed, 21 U.S. aircraft lostamazed the Americans. When Yorktown was struck at Midway, however, Fletcher transferred his flag to the cruiser Astoria and placed Spruance tactically in charge. United States Aircraft Carrier attached to Task Force 16. McClusky led one squadron, VB-6, against the carrier Kaga, while the other Enterprise squadron pounced on Nagumos flagship, Akagi. Midway Island sent a false message stating that its water distillation plant had been damaged and that the base needed fresh water. He enjoyed hot chocolate and would make it for himself every morning. Richmond Kelly Turner and Harry W. Hill and Marine Generals Holland M. Smith and Julian C. Smith. He was modest and candid about himself. He was then ordered to the China station, with sea duty aboard the battleship Connecticut and the cruiser Cincinnati. While both Fletcher and Spruance were rear admirals, Fletcher was senior and nominally in overall command. About us| So he changed course northeastward, avoiding the first wave of dive bombers launched against him from Spruances carriers. He disliked personal publicity and had a reputation for freezing reporters who invaded his privacy. He never did things the same way twice. In July 1941, his responsibilities were expanded to include oversight of the Caribbean Sea Frontier. World War II: Admiral Raymond Spruance. With the battleship's completion, Spruance joined its crew and remained aboard until November 1917. 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 Turning Point in the Pacific. "[16] Both Fletcher and Nimitz recommended Spruance for the Distinguished Service Medal for his role in the battle. Commanded the first Japanese air strike against Midway Island at the beginning of the battle. After air assaults, two rocky islands, Kiska and Attu, were occupied by Japanese ground forces. He was a diligent, neat and gentle boy. 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. "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. Adding to the surprise factor was the fact that Admirals Yamamoto and Nagumo did not believe the U.S. Pacific Fleet was at sea. In 1939 he was promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral. [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. Clarence McClusky, swooped from 19,000 feet onto Nagumos ships. He wrote the day after the attack and the same day he attended funeral services for the 54 Sailors and Marines killed in the attack. https://www.historynet.com/admiral-raymond-a-spruance-modest-victor-of-midway/, Jerrie Mock: Record-Breaking American Female Pilot, How Operation Homecoming Was Sprung into Action to Repatriate American POWs. 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. The Americans lost 74 carrier planes; the Japanese 80. By shortly after 9 a.m., planes from Yorktown were also on their way. A number of strategic and tactical errors contributed to the Japanese defeat: Yamamotos virtual isolation on the bridge of Yamato and his failure to maintain an overall grip on the strategic situation; a loss of nerve on the part of Nagumo; tradition that led Yamaguchi and other enemy commanders to go down with their ships instead of trying to recover the initiative; insufficient reconnaissance against the U.S. carriers; a lack of high-altitude fighter cover; inadequate fire precautions aboard the ships; and the launching of airstrikes from all four fleet carriers at the same time, so that there was a critical period when the Japanese carrier force had little defensive capability. However, an invasion was rendered unnecessary when the atomic bomb was used on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945. This was in July 1938, and this time he was the battleships commander. Spruance did not want to leave troops on the Marianas islands unguarded as he chased Jisaburo Ozawas retreating fleet. Then, reflect on the education opportunities that God has provided us today. He also commanded Task Force 16 at the Battle of Midway, comprising the carriers Enterprise and Hornet. 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. The Japanese lost 19 ships sunk, seven probably sunk and more than 200 aircraft destroyed, and their installations were bombed and strafed. Successfully concluding operations, Spruance was promoted to admiral in February. 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. 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. Raymond Ames Spruance (July 3, 1886 - December 13, 1969) was a United States Navy admiral during World War II. Weeks later . Spruance's rise to fame . The American losses were Yorktown, destroyer Hammann and 147 planes. Hiryu class Japanese aircraft carrier that was part of the second detachment of the Japanese carrier strike force. 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. The attack fails to destroy any airfields or major targets. 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). In the fighting, the Japanese lost three carriers and around 600 aircraft. The fourth was a choice between Halsey and Spruance, and after much deliberation, eventually Halsey was appointed in December 1945. Japanese aircraft carrier attached to the Main Body of the fleet and saw close to no action. The other U.S. flattop, Yorktown, escaped with one bomb hit. He suggested Spruance replace him as commander of the Fleet carrier force, despite the fact that Spruce had little experience with carriers. 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. ThoughtCo. The U.S. Navy intercept force centered on the three carriers Enterprise, Hornet, and Yorktown, and their air-attack squadrons. Spruances fleet had prevented the Japanese from reinforcing the Saipan garrison. For most of the war, Spruance preferred to use the heavy cruiser USSIndianapolis, named for his hometown, as his flagship. 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. 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. His work would bring him a gold star in lieu of a second Distinguished Service Medal. >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. Five days after the Marshalls campaign, Spruance sent the Mitscher force to attack Tinian and Saipan in the Mariana Islands. 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. Not till many months later did American intelligence ferret out the facts."[33]. Raised in Indianapolis, IN, he attended school locally and graduated from Shortridge High School. Calm, collected, decisive, yet receptive to advice; keeping in his mind the picture of widely disparate forces, yet boldly seizing every opening. They find and score 3 hits on the USS Yorktown, but also sustain heavy losses. They would draw them north to deal with a Japanese invasion in the bleak Aleutian Islands, and then strike at unprotected Midway. Japanese propagandists pointed to their success in the Aleutians to offset the defeat at Midway, but actually the Aleutians were of little strategic value. In May 1914, Spruance received a posting as Assistant to the Inspector of Machinery at the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company. Admiral Raymond Spruance served in US Navy during World War Two. The American offensive in the Pacific theater was now enjoying considerable momentum, aided in no small measure by Rear Adm. Marc Mitschers Task Force 58, the most powerful and destructive unit in the history of sea warfare. 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. [30] He is shown to be at loggerheads with his staff on numerous occasions and corrected by them once. Raymond Ames Spruance (July 3, 1886 December 13, 1969) was a United States Navy admiral during World War II. U.S. losses were low: 25 airplanes and 18 lives. 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. 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