The FReeper Foxhole Profiles Fleet Admiral William (Bull) Halsey, Jr. USN - Apr. 19th, 2003

http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq36-5.htm ^

[SAMWolf]

Dear Lord,

There's a young man far from home,
called to serve his nation in time of war;
sent to defend our freedom
on some distant foreign shore.

We pray You keep him safe,
we pray You keep him strong,
we pray You send him safely home ...
for he's been away so long.

There's a young woman far from home,
serving her nation with pride.
Her step is strong, her step is sure,
there is courage in every stride.
We pray You keep her safe,
we pray You keep her strong,
we pray You send her safely home ...
for she's been away too long.

Bless those who await their safe return.
Bless those who mourn the lost.
Bless those who serve this country well,
no matter what the cost.

Author Unknown

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FReepers from the The Foxhole
join in prayer for all those serving their country at this time.

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Fleet Admiral
William Frederick Halsey, Jr. USN

(1882-1959)

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William Frederick Halsey, Jr., was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey, on October 30, 1882, the son of the late Captain William F. Halsey, U. S. Navy. As a Navy junior, he made the usual round of schools prior to his appointment to the Naval Academy. President McKinley gave him an appointment in 1900.

While at the Naval Academy he distinguished himself in class committees and athletics, but not in scholarship. He was a member of the "Lucky Bag" yearbook staff, won his letter in football as a fullback and was president of the Athletic Association. As a First Classman, he had his name engraved on the Thompson Trophy Cup as the Midshipman who had done the most during the year for the promotion of athletics.

Upon graduation in February 1904, he was assigned to USS Missouri and later transferred to USS Don Juan de Austria in which he was commissioned an Ensign after having completed the two years at sea -- then required by law. In 1907, he joined USS Kansas and made the famous World Cruise of the Fleet in that battle ship.

For the next almost 25 years practically all his sea duty with the Fleet was in destroyers, starting in 1909 with command of USS DuPont (TB-7 commissioned in 1897), USS Lamson, USS Flusser and USS Jarvis. In 1915 he went ashore for two years of duty in the Executive Department at the Naval Academy.

During WWI he served in the Queenstown Destroyer Force in command of USS Benham and USS Shaw. From 1918 to 1921 he continued his destroyer service in command of USS Yarnell, USS Chauncey, USS John Francis Burnes and Destroyer Division Thirty-two. In October of 1920 he assumed command of USS Wickes and of Destroyer Division Fifteen. At that time a destroyer division commander also commanded the division flagship. Another shore cruise sent him to duty in the Office of Naval Intelligence, in Washington, -- which was his only duty assignment in that city. In October 1922, he was ordered as Naval Attache at the American Embassy in Berlin, Germany. One year later, he was given additional duty as Naval Attache at the American Embassies in Christiana, Norway; Copenhagen, Denmark; and Stockholm, Sweden.

On completion of that cruise he returned to sea duty, again in the destroyers in European waters, in command of USS Dale and USS Osborne. Upon his return to the U.S. in 1927, he served one year as Executive Officer of the battleship USS Wyoming -- and then for three years in command of USS Reina Mercedes, station ship at the Naval Academy. He continued his destroyer duty on his next two-years at cruise starting in 1930 as Commander Destroyer Division Three of the Scouting Force. In 1932 he went as a student to the Naval War College.



Then in 1934, he embarked on his aviation career when he reported to the Naval Air Station, Pensacola for flight training. He was designated a Naval Aviator on 15 May 1935, and went in command of the carrier USS Saratoga for two years, followed by one year in command of the Naval Air Station, Pensacola. In 1938, when he reached flag rank, he held successive commands of Carrier Division Two in USS Yorktown and Carrier Division One in Saratoga. In 1940, he became Commander Aircraft Battle Force with the rank of Vice Admiral. He was in USS Enterprise in that command when World War II broke out. In April 1942 he was designated Commander Task Force Sixteen, in Enterprise to escort the carrier USS Hornet to within 800 miles of Tokyo to launch the Army planes for the initial bombing of Japan.

In October l942 he was made Commander South Pacific Forces and South Pacific Area. With the rank of Admiral, and for the next 18 months he was in command of that area during the offensive operations of the U. S. Forces. In June 1944 he assumed command of the Third Fleet, and was designated Commander Western Pacific Task Forces. As such, he operated successfully against the Japanese in the Palaies, Philippines, Formosa, Okinawa and South China Sea. Subsequent to the Okinawa campaign in July 1945, his forces struck at Tokyo and the Japanese mainland. The last attack of his forces was on 13 August 1945. Admiral Halsey's flag was flying on USS Missouri on 2 September in Tokyo Bay when the formal Japanese surrender was signed onboard.

Immediately thereafter, 54 ships of the Third Fleet, with his four-star flag in USS South Dakota, returned to the United States for annual Navy Day Celebrations in San Francisco on 27 October 1945. He hauled down his flag in November of that year and was assigned special duty in the office of the Secretary of the Navy. On December 11, 1945, he took the oath as Fleet Admiral becoming the fourth and last officer to hold the rank.



Later, Fleet Admiral Halsey made a goodwill flying trip through Central and South America covering nearly 28,000 miles, and 11 nations. He was relieved of active duty in December 1946, and upon his own request transferred to the retired list on 1 March 1947. Upon retirement, he joined the board of two subsidiaries of the International Telephone and Telegraph Company and served until 1957. He was active in an unsuccessful effort to preserve the USS Enterprise as a national shrine, and was an elected Honorary Vice President of the Naval Historical Foundation.

He died on 16 August 1959 at Fishers Island Country Club.

PROMOTIONS

Graduated from Naval Academy - Class of 1904
Ensign - February 2, 1906
Lieutenant (junior grade) - February 2, 1909
Lieutenant - February 2, 1909
Lieutenant Commander - August 29, 1916
Commander - February 1, 1918
Captain - February 10, 1927
Rear Admiral - March 1, 1938
Vice Admiral - June 13, 1940
Admiral - November 18, 1942
Fleet Admiral - December 11, 1945

DECORATIONS AND AWARDS

Navy Cross
Distinguished Service Medal with three gold stars
Army Distinguished Service Medal
Presidential Unit Citation
Mexican Service Medal
Victory Medal, Destroyer Clasp
American Defense Service Medal with Fleet Clasp
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
World War II Victory Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Philippine Liberation Medal

The guided missile frigate (later guided missile cruiser) USS Halsey (DLG-23, later CG-23), 1963-1994, was named in honor of Fleet Admiral Halsey.

[SAMWolf]

Great analysis Light Speed. Halsey wasn't really a Carrier Admiral and he helped by the time the US needed early in the war. Considering what the US had available in 42 and 43, he and the others did a great job of contesting and blunting Japanese expansion.

[SAMWolf]

Our Military Today
We Remember

Friends and family of Marine Lance Cpl. Andrew Aviles toss flowers into Tampa Bay from the middle of the Friendship Trail pedestrian bridge during a memorial tribute Saturday morning, April 19, 2003 in Tampa, Fla. Aviles, a 2002 graduate of Tampa's Robinson High School, was killed April 7 in Iraq. (AP Photo/Steve Nesius)


Family members react as the body of Marine Lance Cpl. Andrew Julian Aviles arrives at Tampa International Airport Tuesday, April 15, 2003, in Tampa, Fla. Standing, from left, are: Kelly Ramos, aunt, John Aviles uncle, Oscar Aviles, father, and Pamela Aviles, aunt. Aviles, 18, of Tampa, was killed April 7 in Iraq when an enemy artillery round struck his vehicle (AP Photo/Fraser Hale, Pool


The hearse carrying the remains of Marine Sgt. Duane Rios passes under an American flag Saturday, April 19, 2003 in Griffith, Ind. Rios, 25, was killed April 5 in a battle on the outskirts of Baghdad. (AP Photo/Michael Gard)


Erica Rois (C), widow of Marine Sgt. Duane Rios, closes her eyes while holding a U.S. flag after a memorial service for her husband outside St. Mary's Church in Griffith, Indiana, April 19, 2003. Rios was killed in battle outside Baghdad on April 4, 2003. REUTERS/Frank Polich


A Marine fights back tears as he sits with his wife during a memorial service for Marine Sgt. Edward Smith, held by the Anaheim Police Department, in California, April 17, 2003. Sgt. Smith, who worked as a reserve officer in Anaheim, was killed last April 5 during the war in Iraq. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson


Eric Collins, 15, a member of the JROTC program at Bailey Magnet High School in Jackson, Miss., holds a blown up photograph of alumnus, Army Spc. Larry K. Brown, who was killed April 5 while fighting in Iraq, during a memorial ceremony Thursday, April 17, 2003, in Jackson. Brown, 22, was a member of C Company, 1st Battalion, 41st Infantry Regiment from Fort Riley, Kan. Hundreds of students stood on the school's expansive front lawn and listened to tributes the fallen soldier. (AP Photo/Rogelio Solis)


Members of the Alabama National Guard salute their brethren at war in Iraq during a memorial service on the steps of the Alabama Capitol in Montgomery, Ala., Wednesday, April 16, 2003. The service was held to honor those military members serving overseas in protection of America's anti-terrorist policys. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)


Spc. Jesse Blancarte of Frostproof, Forida, from Task Force 2-69 Armor, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division from Fort Benning Georgia, fights back tears at a memorial service held April 16, 2003, in Baghdad for PV2 Gregory R. Huxley Jr., 19, of Forest Port, New York. Huxley was killed in action on April 6 when the armored personnel carrier he was riding in was hit by a rocket propelled grenade. Huxley had just finished basic training five months earlier. He is a member of 317 Engineer Battalion, 2nd Platoon Bravo Company.


Astrid Luna places a Rosary on a photo of U.S. Marine Cpl. Armando Ariel Gonzalez, 25, of Hialeah, Fla., during a memorial service Wednesday, April 16, 2003 in Hialeah, Fla. Gonzalez was killed Monday when a commercial refueling truck collapsed as he worked beneath it in southern Iraq. (AP Photo/Alan Diaz)


Staff Sergeant Lonnie Roberts cries at a memorial service April 16, 2003, in Baghdad for Private Gregory R. Huxley Jr., 19, of Forest Port, New York who was killed in action April 6 when the armored personnel carrier he was riding in was hit by a rocket propelled grenade. Huxley had just finished basic training five months earlier. Roberts was the squad leader and was riding in the carrier at the time of the incident,and is a member of 317 Engineer Battalion, 2nd Platoon Bravo Company. REUTERS/Dallas Morning News/David Leeson)

[snippy_about_it]

These pictures are heartbreaking and very moving Sam.

We need to see them. We won't forget.

Thanks.

[SAMWolf]

Thanks Snippy. They remind us of the price for our Freedom.

[JustAmy]

Happy Easter to All.

[SAMWolf]

Happy Easter Just Amy

[Victoria Delsoul]

Happy Easter to you too, Amy.

[aomagrat]

Today's classic warship, USS Lexington

USS Lexington, a 448-ton side-wheel steamer, was built in 1860 at Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania, for commercial use. She was acquired for the Army's Western Gunboat Flotilla in June 1861 and converted to a "timberclad" river gunboat, with officers to be provided by the Navy. Assigned to duty on the Mississippi River and its tributaries, Lexington took part in several actions with Confederate vessels and land forces during the last four months of 1861 and early 1862. In February 1862, she took part in the capture of Fort Henry and in other operations on the Tennessee River. During the next few months, she continued her activities in that area, participating in the great Battle of Shiloh in early April.

In June 1862, Lexington went up the White River and helped to bombard enemy positions at Saint Charles, Arkansas. She operated on the Mississippi during much of the rest of 1862 and was formally transferred to the Navy in October. November and December found her on the Yazoo, clearing "torpedoes" and bombarding the Confederates. Lexington was active in Arkansas and Tennessee in 1863, participating in the Capture of Fort Hindman, Arkansas, in January, the defense of Fort Donelson, Tennessee, in February, and the burning of Palmyra, Tennessee, in March. In March-May 1864, she took part in expeditions up the Black, Ouachita, and Red rivers in Louisiana, and helped defeat an attack on White River Station, Arkansas, in June. Following the end of the Civil War, USS Lexington was decommissioned in July 1865 and sold the following month.

[SAMWolf]

Thanks for the Classic Ship. She was a strange looking one.

[KeyWest]

I agree which is why I said combined arms. BTW, my Dad was there on the Astoria. We lost that one. He survived.

[KeyWest]

Agree with you. His problem was that Guadacanal will always be tied to the Marines, even though the Navy made it happen. It is difficult to tie him to a specific major Pacific battle, except he will always be remembered for leaving the surface force at Leyte.

My Dad was the Gunnery Officer on the Astoria which was sunk at Savo.

I think Halsey was the anchor man in his class at Annapolis- which means he had the lowest GPA. Not bad to end up with five stars.

[SpookBrat]

You said what I was going to say, snippy. SAM, your choice of pictures is always incredible. I'm deeply moved. I never want to forget.

[SpookBrat]

Is that Jesus in the garden? I love what He did for me. I know it wasn't easy for Him to go through that.

[SpookBrat]

Thanks Amy. I'm waiting on the chicken to be done, then we eat, then we color eggs.

[SAMWolf]

Thanks Spooky. I know that ther's not a lot we can do, but we can alt least remember them and what they did.

[Victoria Delsoul]

Is that Jesus in the garden?

I think that's the idea. Hope you're having a wonderful Easter weekend, Spooky.

[SAMWolf]

I took the liberty of copying your post here on the Foxhole thread and at a place that "Poets For The War" will see it.

Thanks for posting this at the Poetry Branch I made sure the regulars got to see it, but I'd also like the regulars who visit here to see what one our Marines think.

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I'm not really one to judge, or even read, poetry. But I got this from an internet friend who's husband is serving in Iraq. He relayed this to her, and we're trying to get it out.

The message as I received it:



They are hearing about the anti-war protests and he was upset. That' s all the letter talked about. He enclosed a poem he and his buddies wrote.

He wants to get it out, let people see how they feel.

"Wish You Were Here"

For all the free people that still protest.
You're welcome.
We protect you and you are protected by the best.

Your voice is strong and loud.
But who will fight for you?
No one standing in your crowd.

We are your fathers, brothers, and sons,
wearing the boots and carrying guns.

We are the ones that leave all we own,
to make sure your future is carved
in stone.

We are the ones who fight and die,
We might not be able to save the
world, Well, at least we try.

We walked the paths to where we are at
and we want no choice other than that.

so when you rally your group to complain,
take a look in the back of your brain.

In order for that flag you love to fly
wars must be fought and young men
must die.

We came here to fight for the ones
we hold dear.
If that's not respected, we would
rather stay here.

So please stop yelling, put down
your signs,
and pray for those behind enemy
lines.

When the conflict is over and all
is well,
be thankful that we chose to go
through hell.

Corporal Joshua Miles and all the
boys from 3rd Battalion 2nd Marines, Kuwait

134 posted on 04/19/2003 9:02 AM PDT by clifdweller

[Victoria Delsoul]

That's great, Sam. Thank you.

Bumpity, bumpity, bump, bump, bump!

[PhilDragoo]

Ralph Waldo Emerson. 1803–1882

Concord Hymn

Sung at the Completion of the Battle Monument, April 19, 1836

BY the rude bridge that arched the flood,
Their flag to April's breeze unfurled,
Here once the embattled farmers stood,
And fired the shot heard round the world.

The foe long since in silence slept;
Alike the conqueror silent sleeps;
And Time the ruined bridge has swept
Down the dark stream which seaward creeps.

On this green bank, by this soft stream,
We set to-day a votive stone;
That memory may their deed redeem,
When, like our sires, our sons are gone.

Spirit, that made those heroes dare
To die, and leave their children free,
Bid Time and Nature gently spare
The shaft we raise to them and thee.

[PhilDragoo]

"By the time we're through with 'em, the Japanese language will be spoken only in hell."