From “The Hunt for Red October”
Captain Ramius: [to Ryan] What books?
Jack Ryan: [confused] Pardon me?
Captain Ramius: What books did you write?
Jack Ryan: I wrote a biography of, of Admiral Halsey, called “The Fighting Sailor”, about, uh, naval combat tactics...
Captain Ramius: I know this book!
Captain Ramius: Your conclusions were all wrong, Ryan...
Captain Ramius: ...Halsey acted stupidly.
I liked Herman Wouk’s assessment of Halsey in “War and Remembrance.” Yes, Halsey made many blunders. But when he took over the Fleet in 1942 his leadership reversed an atmosphere of defeatism that had overtaken the Pacific Fleet. Sometimes you need someone who will raise the Flag and charge at the enemy.
Yes, sadly he did, he fell for the bait and neglected to guard the henhouse door.
Funny thing, hindsight and all that, but he could have easily split the 3rd fleet into two smaller groups and mopped everything up. The US fleet at that point being easily more than twice as powerful as what the Japanese had left.
But again, (sigh) hindsight.
Great scene, regardless of my distaste for Bladwin. Sean Connery stole yet another movie.