William Frederick Halsey Jr

Print   

02 Nov 2017

Disclaimer:
This essay has been written and submitted by students and is not an example of our work. Please click this link to view samples of our professional work witten by our professional essay writers. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of EssayCompany.

Victor Reyes

Bauer

P5

William Halsey

William Frederick Halsey Jr. served in the United States Navy for forty-three years and became one of the most famous naval officers throughout World War II. Renowned as an aggressive fleet admiral due to his application of brutal force and swift action, Halsey quickly assumed the name William "Bull" Halsey among his men to compliment his forthright and dynamic fighting style. Halsey is most prominently recognized for his involvement and command over the Pacific and his effective triumphs over Japanese naval efforts during World War II. Throughout the war, Halsey’s aggressive fighting style proved effective and demonstrated the United States’ naval aptitude and overall ability to quickly handle any situation presented. Despite some controversial decisions, Halsey’s involvement in World War II ultimately served to strengthen America’s position throughout the war and solidify their reprisal toward opposing nations. This is made evident through Halsey’s early pacific carrier raids, his command over the South Pacific, his involvement in battles of the Central Pacific, and his significant role towards the end of the war.

William F. Halsey Jr. was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey on October 30, 1882.1 Growing up, Halsey Jr. yearned to become a naval officer like his father, and by the age of fifteen, was determined to join the Naval Academy. However, his father’s constant relocations made it difficult for Halsey to obtain the political support for a congressional nomination. Proving his determination, he wrote a letter to numerous politicians, including President William McKinley, pleading to allow him into the academy despite no spots being available, but to no avail. In July 7, 1990, Halsey’s luck improved when Congress passed a bill that allowed the president to add 5 extra appointees to the Academy. After rigorously studying for the examinations, Halsey’s prayer for acceptance into the academy was answered. 2

Halsey’s class graduated on February 2, 1904, rather than the expected date in June, due to Roosevelt’s pressing call for new officers for the revamped Navy. Throughout his career at the academy, Halsey did little to distinguish himself from the other members, graduating only 43rd out of the sixty two who passed midshipmen. Halsey’s creative and innovative personality struggled in the stern environment and old style of teachings that focused primarily on memorization.3 Later, Halsey was sworn in as a lieutenant at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, in February 2, 1909. Soon his forceful and dynamic fighting style promoted him to Rear Admiral in 1938, commanding carrier divisions.4

As a result of the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, Halsey’s task force was virtually the only operational group left in the Pacific. While surveying the damage done on Pearl Harbor, Halsey presented his familiar confidence when declaring that the Japanese language "[would] only be spoken in hell" after he was through with them.5 While the United States was left to rebuild from the destructive attack, Halsey took part in numerous surprise raids on Japanese controlled islands. In February 1, 1941, commanding as Vice Admiral, Halsey set out to the Marshall and Gilbert Islands and participated in a series of raids which were later known as the Marshall-Gilberts raids.6 In the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Halsey launched attacks on both the Roi Namur airfield while on the flagship USS Enterprise. He also struck merchant ships in Carlos Pass resulting in the sinking of a number of ships.7 Halsey’s involvement in the Marshall-Gilberts raids ultimately provided Halsey the much needed experience to continue with the United States’ retaliation towards the Japanese; experience that would prove useful later on in the war. Halsey also played a vital role in the infamous Doolittle Raid, which held significance due to it being one of the first major U.S. retaliations towards Japan. The raid occurred as a result of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s determination to bomb the Japanese as soon as possible to raise American morale. Throughout the raid, Halsey and the Enterprise’s troops provided protection for the entire Task Force 16, including the USS Hornet which joined him on April 5th, with the use of scout planes in case of a Japanese air strike. At the end of the raid, many targets were successfully struck including an oil tank farm and a few power plants.8 As a result of the war, American morale sky rocketed due to its success and territorial gain.

While commanding in the South Pacific, Halsey led the South Pacific command through many battles around Guadalcanal. These battles include the Battle of Santa Cruz Islands and the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal. These battles and his leadership further demonstrate Halsey’s significance throughout the war. On October 18, Admiral Chester Nimitz replaced Vice Admiral Robert L. Ghormley with Halsey as commander of the South Pacific area because he preferred his fighting style and believed the position was better suited for him. Nimitz also felt Ghormley had lost his ambition and was too cynical to continue.9 Halsey led his fleet through the Battle of Santa Cruz which was a major naval battle between the U.S. and Japanese navies. Although ending in a strategic victory for the Japanese, Japan lost many more experienced pilots throughout the battle compared to the United States. Nimitz’s decision to provide Halsey the command over the South Pacific demonstrates how others saw Halsey as a resilient fighting force and was recognized for his constructive and confident attitude throughout the war which distinguished him from other naval officers.

Despite Halsey’s considerable accomplishments throughout the war, Halsey also made some controversial decisions throughout his career. One of these controversial decisions took place in the Philippines. The Battle of Leyte Gulf, one of the largest battles in naval history, was fought in the islands of Leyte and Samar. The Battle of Leyte gulf is also a prominent battle in history due to Japan’s first use of the lethal Kamikaze attacks. For this battle, the Japanese entrusted Vice Admiral Jisaburo Ozawa to act as a decoy in order to distract U.S. naval forces from the main battle and allow the Southern and Central forces to attack the invaders.10 Ironically, the third fleet had been preoccupied defending itself from Japanese air strikes from Luzon and failed to locate the Ozawa forces, making it the only Japanese force that the United States failed to encounter. Finally, on October 24, 1944, U.S. forces found the Ozawa Northern Forces. Halsey was convinced that the Northern Forces constituted the bulk of the Japanese threat and seized the opportunity to pursue and destroy it. As a result, Halsey left the San Bernardino Strait completely unguarded and left the landing beaches to only be protected by small escort carries from the 7th fleet.11 On the 25th Japanese slipped through the strait prompting Thomas C. Kinkaid to send a desperate message asking for support. When Nimitz saw Kinkaid’s plea for help, he sent a message to Halsey asking where his fleet was with the highly ironic security padding phrase "The world wonders", which was, intended without meaning, to stop Japanese from deciphering the message.12 Despite Halsey’s blunder, the United States still managed to prevail and secured the beach heads and allowed for the invasion of Ryukyu Islands in 1945. Halsey’s hiccup in reasoning still managed to display the United States’ naval aptitude and overall dominance of Japanese forces.

In protected General MacArthur’s flank during the invasion of the Philippine island of Mindoro, Halsey also presented a controversial decision when he attempted a difficult refueling maneuver and sent the entire Task Force 38 fleet into an immense typhoon. By the end of the encounter with the storm, about 800 men were lost along with 146 aircrafts. In 1945, Halsey once again sailed his men into the typhoon. This time, the casualties were less intensive with no ships lost, but the second endeavor came at the cost of six men.13 As a result, the Navy Court of Inquiry intervened and recommended Halsey’s resignation, but Nimitz recommended against it due to Halsey’s past service and success.14 Halsey’s actions throughout this time in the war exemplify the aggressive approach he would take when certain times called for quick action.

When looking back at World War II, many historians will focus only on Halsey’s blunders such as in the typhoon crisis or his tactics at Leyte Gulf. However, this concentration ultimately masks many of the significant contributions Admiral Halsey provided throughout the war. Halsey’s participation in the war was a great success and was arguably one of the greatest naval catalysts for the war’s end. His ability to quickly react to any situation without hesitancy distinguished him from many other important figures throughout WWII. As exemplified after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Halsey was continually determined to complete his job no matter how bad the situation. It was this determination and consistency that raised American morale throughout the war. As well as a remarkable attacker, Halsey also demonstrated his significant ability to effectively defend. Halsey played a crucial role in protecting entire fleets throughout many major battles such as the Doolittle Raid. Without Halsey’s protection, it is hard to envision the United States’ Navy succeeding in many of their naval battles. Even through his controversial decisions, Halsey demonstrated his forthright and resilient fighting style that embodied his overall naval success. Such as in the typhoon, despite being virtually wiped out, Halsey still pushed his men toward the storm for a second time with minimal casualties. It was this determination and borderline stubbornness that allowed for Halsey to be so successful throughout his career. It is impossible to ignore Halsey’s significant contributions throughout World War II along with his forceful fighting style. Despite his apparent blunders, Halsey still managed to become one of the greatest fleet admirals throughout World War II.

Throughout the war, Halsey’s involvement and aggressive fighting furthered the U.S. navy in the war and prompted their overall success with their retaliation towards Japan. It was Halsey’s forthright attitude and positive outlook that embodied the United States’ successful approach to World War II.

1 Wukovits, John. Admiral "Bull" Halsey: The Life and Wars of the Navy's Most 

     Controversial Commander. N.p.: (Palgrave Macmillan, 2006), 2

2 Wukovits, John. Admiral "Bull" Halsey: The Life and Wars of the Navy's Most 

     Controversial Commander. N.p.: (Palgrave Macmillan, 2006) , 4-5

3 Wukovits, John. Admiral "Bull" Halsey: The Life and Wars of the Navy's Most 

     Controversial Commander. N.p.: (Palgrave Macmillan, 2006), 16

4 Halsey, William F., III, and J. Bryan. Admiral Halsey's Story. N.p.: (Kessinger 

     Publishing, LLC, 2010), 75

5 Wukovits, John. Admiral "Bull" Halsey: The Life and Wars of the Navy's Most 

     Controversial Commander. N.p.: (Palgrave Macmillan, 2006), 58

7 Wukovits, John. Admiral "Bull" Halsey: The Life and Wars of the Navy's Most 

     Controversial Commander. N.p.: (Palgrave Macmillan, 2006), 61-62

8 "Admiral Halsey" Naval History & Heritage. N.p., 11 Aug. 2002. Web. 7 May 2013. 

     <http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/events/wwii-pac/misc-42/dooltl.htm>.  [9] pg 100

10 Wukovits, John. Admiral "Bull" Halsey: The Life and Wars of the Navy's Most 

     Controversial Commander. N.p.: (Palgrave Macmillan, 2006), 181

11 Wukovits, John. Admiral "Bull" Halsey: The Life and Wars of the Navy's Most 

     Controversial Commander. N.p.: (Palgrave Macmillan, 2006), 182

12 Wukovits, John. Admiral "Bull" Halsey: The Life and Wars of the Navy's Most 

     Controversial Commander. N.p.: (Palgrave Macmillan, 2006) , 199

13 "William Halsey Jr." Factual World. N.p., 9 Sept. 2011. Web. 7 May 2013. 

     <http://www.factualworld.com/article/William_Halsey,_Jr.>. 

14 Milton, Buckner F. Sea Cobra. N.p.: (The Lyons Press, 2007).



rev

Our Service Portfolio

jb

Want To Place An Order Quickly?

Then shoot us a message on Whatsapp, WeChat or Gmail. We are available 24/7 to assist you.

whatsapp

Do not panic, you are at the right place

jb

Visit Our essay writting help page to get all the details and guidence on availing our assiatance service.

Get 20% Discount, Now
£19 £14/ Per Page
14 days delivery time

Our writting assistance service is undoubtedly one of the most affordable writting assistance services and we have highly qualified professionls to help you with your work. So what are you waiting for, click below to order now.

Get An Instant Quote

ORDER TODAY!

Our experts are ready to assist you, call us to get a free quote or order now to get succeed in your academics writing.

Get a Free Quote Order Now