[Iris7]

I hate to find fault in Naval Aviation, now, or then. Some of the best men on the planet are or have been Naval Aviators. But Admiral Mitscher was wrong in his desire to pursue the Japanese Imperial Navy, and Raymond Spruance was correct not to do so. The landing fleet must be protected and there was no doubt that such a huge Japanese fleet had no possible destination but the Marianas.

We all know Raymond Spruance's role at Midway, where it REALLY counted.

In mid-1943 Admiral Spruance recieved command of the Central Pacific Force, later to become the 5th Fleet. He held that job until the end of the war.

Admiral Chester Nimitz (whom you all know I hold in very high respect) trusted Spruance, who was his Chief of Staff and then Deputy Commander to the Commander in Chief, Pacific. Nimitz.

Nimitz, a remarkable judge of character, could have had any man in the Navy he wanted for those jobs except Admiral King.

Spruance could be counted on to take terrible risks if the situation demanded it (recollect the very early launch of the air strikes at Midway and the real likelihood of the loss of the only American aircraft carriers left. Remember only Enterprise survived). At the same time Admiral Spruance was a man never controlled by his emotions, a man who maintained icy control of himself at all times, who, as far as I can find out, never took a reckless risk. A man with a mind as hard as a diamond and sharper than a razor.

Unlike Admiral Halsey upon occasion, heh, heh.

[Iris7]

You know, "In those days there were Giants upon the earth."

Be of good hope, all. These days there are many Americans every bit as good as our "Giants of the earth" who have past away. Perhaps the "American" Left, those Stalinists in all but name, those "liberals", will become one in history with the Japanese Empire. I so pray.

If such a proud and happy day comes about it will be due to the "blood, toil, tears, and sweat" of our very best. And of a big bunch of other fine folks.

They better hurry up or I'll be getting old, shucks, the "39 and holding" is getting tough with all the gray hair!!!! Folks might think me a crotchety old man!!

Well, I prefer cantankerous!!! As Roy Rogers said to Gabby Hayes, "Let me handle that, I'm younger than you." Gabby replied, "You are, are you? You'll have to prove it."

My wife says I am just like Gabby Hayes. That is a fine compliment. She thinks that a little old, smelly, and messy cantankerousness are perhaps besmirching the diamond that is I - well, she usually is right!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[SAMWolf]

Morning Iris7.

IMHO Admiral Spruance is very underated in the history books.

[Valin]

Spruance could be counted on to take terrible risks if the situation demanded it (recollect the very early launch of the air strikes at Midway and the real likelihood of the loss of the only American aircraft carriers left. Remember only Enterprise survived).

The amazing thing was the number of carriers we had by 1945.

[colorado tanker]

I share your high regard for Adm. Spruance, Iris. The only thing he didn't seem to do well was PR.