Spruance, Raymond Ames (1886-1969), was one of the top United States naval commanders during World War II (1939-1945). Many military experts rate him the best American naval combat commander of the war. Spruance helped devise the circular battle formation that made U.S. carrier groups the most effective fighting fleets in history.
In June 1942, Spruance led the force sent to stop the Japanese at Midway Island. The United States won the Battle of Midway, sinking four Japanese aircraft carriers. Many historians consider the battle the turning point of the Pacific war. After the battle, Spruance was promoted from rear admiral to vice admiral (see World War II (The tide turns) ). Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, commander in chief of the Pacific Fleet, made Spruance his chief of staff.
In 1943, Spruance led naval forces in the assault on Tarawa in the Gilbert Islands. He was promoted to admiral. In early 1944, he directed attacks on the Marshall Islands and the Japanese naval base at Truk (now Chuuk). Later that year, Spruance won a crushing victory in the Battle of the Philippine Sea and led naval forces in the capture of Saipan and Guam. In 1945, he led the first carrier strike on Tokyo and directed the capture of Iwo Jima (now Iwo To). After the war, he served as commander in chief of the Pacific Fleet and later as president of the Naval War College.
Spruance was born on July 3, 1886, in Baltimore. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1906. Spruance died on Dec. 13, 1969.
