Nimitz disagreed. But what did he know?
He could have left one carrier group to cover the landings. They knew the Japanese carriers had almost no functioning air groups because there hadn’t been enough time since the Marianas Turkey Shoot to train more. Plus the scout planes hadn’t been attacked by covering aircraft. I understand the strategic importance of sinking the remaining Japanese carriers.I also understand Nimitz taking up for him.
BTW, I also agree with Nimtz testifying in defense of Grand Admiral Karl Donitz at his Nuremberg trial. Donitz was not, a war criminal. He had nothing to do with the holocaust. It was the right thing to do. The US submarines did to Japan what the German submarines tried to do to the UK. No difference. That is war, and war is Hell.
I think is a similar situation to Patton slapping shell-shocked soldiers. Patton was reprimanded, and possibly demoted (otherwise he’d have had Bradley’s position at the end of the war) but ultimately, they needed him in command of an army. Halsey was the best naval Flag officer the US had. Maybe the best it has ever had. But he made a huge mistake in this case. If the Japanese commander hadn’t lost his nerve the US would have lost that battle. I believe Halsey was saved by the fact that the US won the battle.