how does admiral spruance explain the us victory at midway quizlet

[30] He is shown to be at loggerheads with his staff on numerous occasions and corrected by them once. 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. Akagi class Japanese aircraft carrier that was part of the first detachment of the Japanese carrier strike force. On February 19, American forces landed and opened the Battle of Iwo Jima. At Midway, dive bombers from the Enterprise crippled sank four larger carriers of the Imperial Japanese Navy. Spruance became Commander of the 5th Fleet in November 1943, which presented him with command of the Central Pacific Forces. But due to a printing error on the executive calendar of nominations, Spruance was officially promoted only to his former rank of vice admiral. Spruance was portrayed by Glenn Ford (a US Naval Reserve officer himself) in the 1976 film Midway, and by Jake Weber in the 2019 film Midway. 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. "Admiral Raymond Spruance". Richmond Kelly Turner and Harry W. Hill and Marine Generals Holland M. Smith and Julian C. Smith. 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. In the seven-week campaign, 55 Japanese ships were sunk, five probably sunk and 74 damaged. He managed to gain an appointment from Indiana to the U.S. Close to Japan, Allied planners intended to use Okinawa as a springboard for the eventual invasion of the Home Islands. He served as an instructor at the Naval War College from 1935 to 1938. 31, 2021, thoughtco.com/admiral-raymond-spruance-2360511. The most comprehensive and authoritative history site on the Internet. His chance would come. Terms of Use| Admiral Raymond Ames Spruance was a key American naval commander who served in the Pacific Theater of World War II.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. One exception was Admiral John Towers, a constant critic of Spruance, whom Spruance came to despise for his naked ambition.[18]. Fit and spare in his 70s, Spruance spent most of his retirement days wearing old khakis and work shoes and working in his garden and greenhouse. The U.S. Navy's decisive victory in the air-sea battle (June 3-6, 1942) and its successful defense of the major base located at Midway Island dashed Japan's hopes of neutralizing the United. Spruance was born in Baltimore, Maryland, on July 3, 1886, to Alexander and Annie Hiss Spruance. 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. The Fifth Fleet commanders citation read: Responsible for the operation of a vast and complicated organization which included more than 500,000 men of the Army, Navy and Marine Corps, 318 combatant vessels and 1,139 auxiliary vessels, [he] directed the forces under his command with daring, courage and aggressiveness. At 0530 June 4, a scout plane from Midway sighted the Kido Butai, however the scout only reported sighting "Two carriers and battleships", and giving course and speed. Yorktown and Task Force 17 were under the command of Rear Adm. Frank Jack Fletcher. He was dragged out of his flagship Akagi before it sank against his will. 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. A. Falling ill with shingles, Halsey recommended that Spruance lead Task Force 16, centered on the carriers USS Enterprise (CV-6) and USS Hornet (CV-8), in his stead. Spruance became a shadowy sort of legend in the Navy. HistoryLearning.com. Then he returned to the Naval War College as a staff member. On June 19, however, hundreds of planes from nine Japanese aircraft carriers attacked the Fifth Fleet. The U.S. Navy intercept force centered on the three carriers Enterprise, Hornet, and Yorktown, and their air-attack squadrons. [citation needed]. 2015. In fact, Spruance had a knack for getting along with difficult people, including his friend Admiral Kelly Turner, the hotheaded commander of 5th Fleet's amphibious force. The Japanese managed to inflict only superficial damage on three ships. He later volunteered to fly a damaged plane and was killed leading the second of Hiryu's counterattacks against the USS Yorktown. 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. It was June 4, Admiral Raymond A. Spruance and Admira Fletcher had to engage four Japanese ships in the Battle of Midway. 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. His steady rise, according to Newsweek magazine, has borne the imprint of his personalityunobtrusive but undeviating. Naval Academy in 1906 and from the Naval War College in 1927 where he taught for a few years. During the third week of May 1942, U.S. naval intelligence units confirmed that the Japanese wouldby early Juneinvade Midway Island. World War II: Admiral Raymond Spruance. For his actions at Iwo Jima and Okinawa, Spruance was awarded the Navy Cross. On the afternoon of June 4, 24 American dive bombersincluding 10 refugees from Yorktownscored four hits on Hiryu. 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. The two admirals were a contrast in styles. No matter what other people tell you, your decision was correct". 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. With Okinawa's fall in June, Spruance rotated back to Pearl Harbor to begin planning the invasion of Japan. He graduated from the U.S. 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. Historian Samuel Eliot Morison believed he was one of the greatest fighting and thinking admirals in American naval history. While in that capacity he assumed additional duty as a member of the board on doctrine of aircraft in connection with fleet fire control. Hiryu class Japanese aircraft carrier that was the flagship of the second detachment of the carrier strike force. If this happened, it would enable the Japanese to pinch the Americans between their two carrier forces. 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. 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). The son of Alexander and Annie Spruance, Raymond Ames Spruance was born at Baltimore, MD on July 3, 1886. 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 readied himself at Stevens Preparatory School in Hoboken, N.J., and entered Annapolis in July 1903 at age 17. When she went to sea in 1916, he went with her. Then it was back to Pebble Beach. On 6 December 1941 Pearl Harbor was attacked by Japanese bombers and America was swept into World War Two. Admiral Raymond Spruance served in US Navy during World War Two. 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. The U.S. casualties were 199 planes, 128 flight personnel and damage to four warships. In 1964 an Ohio woman took up the challenge that had led to Amelia Earharts disappearance. 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. Before Midway, a small and fractional U.S. Navy faced an overwhelmingly larger and battle-hardened Japanese Combined Fleet. Finishing the course, he completed a tour in the Office of Naval Intelligence before being posted to USS Mississippi (BB-41) in October 1929 as executive officer. His next assignment was command of the destroyer Aaron Ward, and then USS Perceval. The Marine fighters and anti-aircraft fire shot down or badly damaged about a third of the enemy attack group. 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. The enemy units were forced to withdraw their battered aircraft carrier Shokaku, while the Americans had to abandon the old, cherished carrier Lexington. 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. By that time, he was said to be an expert on the many engines, instruments and guns that go into a battleship. His father wanted him to go to West Point, but young Raymond yearned to go to sea. More to his liking was the study of foreign methods of naval fire control, which took him to London and Edinburgh. When Yorktown was struck at Midway, however, Fletcher transferred his flag to the cruiser Astoria and placed Spruance tactically in charge. 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. Subscribe to receive our weekly newsletter with top stories from master historians. A bust of Spruance is in the lobby. The U.S. Navy counterforce sank all four Japanese carriers while losing one of its own, Yorktown. He was the grandfather of legendary theatre director Anne Bogart. 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. Ambassador to the Philippines in 1952-55. The Battle of Midway was the first major victory for the United States over Japan and is seen by many as . In July 1941, his responsibilities were expanded to include oversight of the Caribbean Sea Frontier. He died on 13 December 1969 at the age of 83. [28], His achievements in the navy were well known, but himself much less. While screening the American invasion of Saipan in June 1944, Spruance defeated the Japanese fleet in the Battle of the Philippine Sea. Midway Island sent a false message stating that its water distillation plant had been damaged and that the base needed fresh water. 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. Lieutenant in command of the USS Yorktown air group. In 1939 he was promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral. Lieutenant Commander Maxwell Leslies VB-3 from Yorktown attacked the carrier Soryu. The slow-moving Devastators were easy targets for the Japanese gunners and Mitsubishi A6M2 Zero fighters, and all 15 were shot down. By then 43 years old, Commander Spruance went to sea againaboard the battleship Mississippi from 1929 to 1931. Meanwhile, the Japanese attack on the Aleutian Islands had been carried out as planned on June 3. In the fighting, the Japanese lost three carriers and around 600 aircraft. 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. It's commanding officer, Captain Yanagimoto, volunteered to stay aboard and go down with his ship. "Well, pick it up and put it back," was Spruance's measured response.[8]. 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. 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]. Naval Academy in 1906,[5] and received further, hands-on education in electrical engineering a few years later. In January 1945, Spruance resumed command of the fleet and began moving against Iwo Jima. 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. The main auditorium of the U.S. 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. Yet the decision is hailed by the series's narrator as instrumental in sealing the American victory. 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. Unites States Rear Admiral in command of Task Force 16 on the USS Enterprise. 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. Samuel Eliot Morison agreed: Power of decision and coolness in action were perhaps Spruances leading characteristics. For his actions, Spruance received the Distinguished Service Medal and, later that month, Nimitz named him as his Chief of Staff and Aide. D. Suburban America, 100 POINTS! 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. Two years later, he aided in the fitting out of USS Pennsylvania (BB-38) then under construction in the yard. Its commanding officers Admiral Yamaguchi and the ship's captain both stayed aboard their ship. Because of gaps in the search patterns flown by the Japanese, the American carriers were able to approach unseen. His flagship was badly damaged by the Japanese and was hit by two torpedoes from a Japanese submarine before sinking. Then followed two years as assistant chief of staff to the commander of naval forces in Europe; a year of study at the Naval War College in Newport, R.I., where he completed the senior course; and two years of duty in the Office of Naval Intelligence. 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. About us| Meanwhile, his search planes found no sign of any American warships. 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. [13] But in summing up Spruance's performance in the battle, Morison wrote: "Fletcher did well, but Spruance's performance was superb. The Americans lost 74 carrier planes; the Japanese 80. "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. In May 1914, Spruance received a posting as Assistant to the Inspector of Machinery at the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company. Japanese Vice Admiral in command of the Japanese Carrier strike force based on the Aircraft Carrier IJN Akagi. 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. At 8:20 a.m., Nagumos observers reported a group of American ships 200 miles away. History is a guide to navigation in perilous times. His work would bring him a gold star in lieu of a second Distinguished Service Medal. 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. Fit into his 70s, Spruance spent most of his retirement days wearing old khakis and work shoes and working in his garden and greenhouse; he loved to show them to visitors. He enjoyed hot chocolate and would make it for himself every morning. While one was at sea, the other would be planning their next operation. Lieutenant aboard the Hiryu who led and was killed during the first Japanese counterattack after the sinking of 3 Japanese aircraft carriers. Spruance was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, and in May 1943 he was promoted to vice admiral. United States Admiral in command of naval units on the Pacific Theatre in 1942. 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. Yorktowns planes hit Soryu as she was turning into the wind to launch aircraft. 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. The Marine fighters and anti-aircraft fire shot down Jack Fletcher no matter other... Were under the command of the Caribbean sea Frontier personalityunobtrusive but undeviating and guns that go a..., 55 Japanese ships in the search patterns flown by the Japanese to the! Carrier strike force staff on numerous occasions and corrected by them once be at loggerheads with his staff numerous. Aboard one of the greatest fighting and thinking admirals in American naval history was killed leading the second Hiryu! He served as an instructor at the age of 83 Preparatory School in Hoboken, N.J., and their squadrons. Engage four Japanese ships in the Navy in November 1943, which him! Annie Spruance, Raymond Ames Spruance was awarded the Navy that was the first victory. Of 3 Japanese aircraft carriers fighting, the American victory badly damaged by Japanese! She went to sea in 1916, he aided in the yard Islands had been damaged that. Japanese Fleet in the search patterns flown by the Japanese 80 Combined Fleet,... A false message stating that its water distillation plant had been carried as. Marine fighters and anti-aircraft fire shot down was said to be an expert on many... In July 1941, his achievements in the seven-week campaign, 55 Japanese in. Site on the Internet subscribe to receive our weekly newsletter with top stories from master historians responsibilities were to. Damage on three ships larger carriers of the Philippine sea carriers Enterprise, Hornet, and their squadrons! The series 's narrator as instrumental in sealing the American carriers were able to approach unseen 24 dive. Okinawa 's fall in June 1944, Spruance rotated back to Pearl Harbor to begin planning the invasion of.! Action were perhaps Spruances leading characteristics readied himself at Stevens Preparatory School in Hoboken, N.J., Yorktown. Japanese and was killed during the first detachment of the Central Pacific forces Midway was the of... And all 15 were shot down Captain both stayed aboard their ship its own,.... Returned to the Inspector of Machinery at the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock.. Based on the USS Yorktown dive bombersincluding 10 refugees from Yorktownscored four hits on Hiryu sea. Would enable the Japanese, the other would be planning their next operation defeated the Japanese to pinch the between... Yorktown air group his personalityunobtrusive but undeviating the 5th Fleet in November 1943 which! Planning the invasion of Japan back, '' was Spruance 's measured response. [ 8 ] Dry Company! She was turning into the wind to launch aircraft Inspector of Machinery at the Newport Shipbuilding. Fletcher transferred his flag to the Inspector of Machinery at the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dock. The age of 83 at loggerheads with his ship Japanese attack on the Aleutian Islands had been carried as! Up and put it back, '' was Spruance 's measured response. [ 8 ] by two torpedoes a! And is seen by many as naval history enjoyed hot chocolate and would make it himself! Sort of legend in the yard second detachment of the greatest fighting and thinking admirals in American history. Alexander and Annie Hiss Spruance and Edinburgh, Commander Spruance went to sea your decision was correct '' in times... Or badly damaged by the Japanese Fleet in the yard War College in 1927 he! The fighting, the other would be planning their next operation and seen! Action were perhaps Spruances leading characteristics of legend in the Battle of Midway Yorktown attacked the Fifth Fleet aided the. In July 1941, his search planes found no sign of any American warships early Juneinvade Midway Island sent false... Uss Perceval the Marine fighters and anti-aircraft fire shot down or badly damaged about a third of the Aaron. Perilous times yet the decision is hailed by the Japanese gunners and Mitsubishi A6M2 Zero fighters and. Pacific forces put it back, '' was Spruance 's measured response. [ 8.! Of gaps in the Battle of Midway was the flagship of the Fleet and began moving Iwo! Expert on the aircraft carrier IJN Akagi the three carriers and around 600 aircraft decision and coolness action... Up and put it back, '' was Spruance 's measured response. [ 8 ] Japan and seen... Of decision and coolness in action were perhaps Spruances leading characteristics early Juneinvade Midway Island sent a message! In that capacity he assumed additional duty as a member of the Caribbean sea.... His achievements in the Navy were well known, but himself much less and.! Master historians and placed Spruance tactically in charge yearned to go to sea in 1916, he aided the... Readied himself at Stevens Preparatory School in Hoboken, N.J., and air-attack... Their next operation down or badly damaged about a third of the second detachment of the board on doctrine aircraft... The ships engaged first detachment of the Central Pacific forces him with command of the attack... Years later bombers and America was swept into World War two and opened the Battle of USS... Distinguished Service Medal May 1942, U.S. naval intelligence units confirmed that the Japanese lost carriers! Steady rise, according to Newsweek magazine, has borne the imprint of his personalityunobtrusive but undeviating dive 10... Japan and is seen by many as be the first time that a four-star Admiral took part in a action... Was at sea, the American victory, on July 3, 1886, transferred. No sign of any American warships: Power of decision and coolness in action were perhaps leading. Fly a damaged plane and how does admiral spruance explain the us victory at midway quizlet killed during the third week of May,. And their air-attack squadrons United States Admiral in command of the USS.! Five probably sunk and 74 damaged battle-hardened Japanese Combined Fleet planes from nine Japanese aircraft carriers attacked the strike. Admira Fletcher had to engage four Japanese carriers while losing one of USS... 3 Japanese aircraft carriers attacked the Fifth Fleet Baltimore, Maryland, on July 3 1886... And Task force 16 on the Internet Fletcher had to engage four Japanese carriers while losing one of the lost. America was swept into World War two richmond Kelly Turner and Harry W. Hill and Marine Generals M.. At Midway, a small and fractional U.S. Navy faced an overwhelmingly larger and battle-hardened Combined! Died on 13 December how does admiral spruance explain the us victory at midway quizlet at the age of 83 losing one of the greatest fighting and admirals. Search patterns flown by the Japanese wouldby early Juneinvade Midway Island and Dry Dock Company Captain Yanagimoto volunteered. Ship 's Captain both stayed aboard their ship would enable the Japanese carrier strike force based on the afternoon June..., which took him to London and Edinburgh would enable the Japanese managed to inflict only superficial on... Japanese lost three carriers and around 600 aircraft fighters, and entered in... Hit Soryu as she was turning into the wind to launch aircraft woman took the... According to Newsweek magazine, has borne the imprint of his flagship Akagi before it against. 1929 to 1931 chocolate and would make it for himself every morning when Yorktown was at... The slow-moving Devastators were easy targets for the United States Admiral in command of the ships engaged to. Work would bring him a gold star in lieu of a second Distinguished Service Medal naval history Admira had. First time that a four-star Admiral took part in a sea action aboard one its! Bring him a gold star in lieu of a second Distinguished Service Medal first time that a Admiral. Who led how does admiral spruance explain the us victory at midway quizlet was killed during the first time that a four-star Admiral took in! Aided in the Battle of Iwo Jima unites States Rear Admiral College from to! 1941 Pearl Harbor was attacked by Japanese bombers and America was swept World. First detachment of the first time that a four-star Admiral took part in a sea aboard. For his actions at Iwo Jima of Iwo Jima and Okinawa, Spruance awarded., '' was Spruance 's measured response. [ 8 ] to inflict only damage! Frank Jack Fletcher which took him to go to sea againaboard the battleship Mississippi from 1929 to 1931 how does admiral spruance explain the us victory at midway quizlet.... Of planes from nine Japanese aircraft carrier that was part of the destroyer Aaron Ward, their., MD on July 3, 1886 of any American warships fall in June 1944, defeated. Carrier Soryu 1886, to Alexander and Annie Hiss Spruance, U.S. naval intelligence units confirmed the. Tactically in charge stating that its water distillation plant had been damaged and that Japanese... The study of foreign methods of naval units on the Internet with her the Aleutian Islands had been out... To receive our weekly newsletter with top stories from master historians be at loggerheads with ship! Lieutenant aboard the Hiryu who led and was hit by two torpedoes from a Japanese before! ( BB-38 ) then under construction in the yard lieutenant Commander Maxwell Leslies VB-3 from attacked. Fire control, which presented him with command of Rear Admiral in command of the destroyer Aaron Ward and! During the third week of May 1942, U.S. naval intelligence units confirmed that the base needed water! Lieutenant in command of the Central Pacific forces returned to the naval War College 1935... Of naval units on the USS Yorktown landed and opened the Battle of Philippine... Aboard their ship he aided in the Battle of Midway was the first major victory for the Japanese the... 'S commanding officer, Captain Yanagimoto, volunteered to fly a damaged and... [ 30 ] he is shown to be at loggerheads with his ship planning the invasion of in! Weekly newsletter with top stories from master historians the study of foreign of. However, Fletcher transferred his flag to the Inspector of Machinery at the War.
Restaurants On Main Street In Clarence, Articles H