[Poohbah]

An interesting point: aside from Raizo Tanaka, most Japanese naval commanders required the Americans to act in the way they wished them too when writing their operational plans.

Tanaka was a tactical commander, and used his advantages (torpedoes, night optics) superbly.

Probably the best US tacticians were Moosbrugger and Arleigh Burke; and Burke was the only one to have two battles where he exercised tactical command.

[hchutch]

I'd have to say that Willis Lee did pretty well with Washington in the second night engagement of the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal. And Spruance was pretty good, although he lacked the instinct for the jugular that Halsey had.