Halsey, << HAWL zee, >> William Frederick, Jr. (1882-1959), was a United States naval commander in World War II. He became known for his aggressiveness in combat, and the press nicknamed him “Bull.”
In early 1942, Vice Admiral Halsey led his Pacific carrier task force in attacks on the Gilbert and Marshall islands and Wake Island and Marcus Island. In October 1942, he became commander of the South Pacific Area. His forces defeated the Japanese in the Solomon Islands, enabling Allied land forces to occupy the entire island chain. Halsey also supported General Douglas MacArthur in the Southwest Pacific Area. In a controversial action during the Battle of Leyte Gulf in the Philippines in 1944, Halsey, then admiral of the Third Fleet, led his forces from the main battle area to chase and fight a Japanese force off Cape Engano. Later, Halsey twice led his fleet through typhoons while supporting military operations. On Sept. 2, 1945, the Japanese signed the surrender on Halsey’s flagship, the battleship Missouri.
Halsey was born on Oct. 30, 1882, in Elizabeth, New Jersey. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1904. He retired as a fleet admiral in 1947. Halsey died on Aug. 16, 1959.
