[righttackle44]

Best was Ray Spruance.

Interesting that in the same post, Admiral Halsey is
castigated as the worst and Admiral Spruance as the best.

If it weren't for Admiral Halsey, there would have been no
Admiral Spruance commanding the carrier division at the
Battle of Midway. Spruance's expertise was as cruiser
division commander.

Thank the Lord for Admiral Spruance. Halsey's decision to
recommend Spruance to Halsey ask the task force commander
is arguably the decision that began to turn the tide of the war.

[skeeter]

Halsey's decision to recommend Spruance to Halsey ask the task force commander is arguably the decision that began to turn the tide of the war.

Hadn't thought of that.

Halsey deserves some credit for saving the situation at Guadacanal but loses it and then some for his near catastrophic impulsiveness at Leyte Gulf.

As for Marc Mitscher, his performance as a captain at Midway was horrible (I'm surprised he wasn't sacked) and if not for the absolute thrashing US airmen gave the Japanese attackers even the Phillipine Sea would've been a disappointing lost opportunity.

[beebuster2000]

great book on midway:

Shattered Sword

http://www.amazon.com/Shattered-Sword-Untold-Battle-Midway/dp/1574889249/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1292265948&sr=1-1

all over ray spruance greatness