Admiral Spruance - The Forging of a Quiet but Deadly Leader

Today we take a look at the career of Admiral Raymond Spruance, from his birth to when he took a lead role in the Battle of Midway.
Sources:
The Quiet Warrior: a biography of Admiral Raymond A. Spruance - Buell, Thomas B.
Admiral Raymond A. Spruance, USN; A Study In Command - Admiral E. P. Forestel
Naval History books, use code 'DRACH' for 25% off - www.usni.org/p...
Free naval photos and channel posters - www.drachinifel.co.uk
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'Legionnaire' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

[@Drachinifel]

Pinned post for Q&A :)

[@WarrantOfficerWill22]

Did anyone else aside from Japan have any I-400 sized submarine Projects during the time period this channel covers? I’m aware of the Soviet P-2 (a very ambitious predecessor to the Zulu V) but did the US or Germany or anyone else have any major plans for very large Diesel Electric submarines? And If not, what do you think either the USSR or the US could have done on a hull of around the same tonnage with ‘end of channel period’ tech? During the Cold War the US and USSR never built any diesel boat that even approached half that tonnage.

[@darrenblake2362]

Could the IjN have operated jets from there carrier fleet that existed would they have /or where they developing carriers that could?

[@gunnerholley4872]

I’ve recently read that Japanese bombs, like American torpedoes, had quite a problem with reliability. Is there any other nations who had experienced really bad reliability problems / did rates?

[@danielregnard882]

I assume you have heard of the IJN Kaneda design for a behemoth 500,000 battleship with over 50 16inch guns. Would this have been physically possible to build? And if the IJN had this vessel in 1941 (magically without having other historical vessels construction cancelled because of resource conflicts) would it have been able to play any sort of role at all in the Pacific campaign? (At least beyond being a giant torpedo magnet)

[@admDanRyan]

During the Battle of Manila Bay during the Spanish-American War, why was the gunnery so poor? I'm assuming that there was a lack of training but are there more factors?

[@Blockio1999]

Responding to news of Pearl Harbor with "Thank you, you know what to do" is a special kind of power move

[@EShirako]

A slightly EPIC power move...wow. Because they, indeed, DID know what to do!

[@stevenrobinson2381]

Command 101.

[@ph89787]

Say what you will about Admiral Halsey. But I believe recommending Spruance to Nimitz as Task Force 16's CO for Midway was his best one in the war.

[@d.olivergutierrez8690]

I will take Spruance over that senile bull every time, Spruance was the ideal admiral on leyte gulf, he would have stayed on mission and not send half the available task force after a so obvious decoy.

[@EpicRenegade777]

Halsey was a great commander, but with how things do sometimes you get unlucky, what could be seen as a Bold move if you succeed can be seen as reckless if you happen to fail, there is sadly some luck that stopped some commanders from getting the praise they deserve.

[@Subpac_ww2]

Spruance was, by far, the better commander. Analytical. Calm. Collected. Never put ego above mission. Unlike Halsey. Who did that often.

[@timothyhouse1622]

@@d.olivergutierrez8690 it was an obvious decoy ONLY to those of us viewing it with the lenses of hindsight. It was NOT so obvious then. UP to that point the primary weapon of the Japanese Navy was the carrier. Also, the intelligence report that the Japanese lost so many pilots and planes at the Battle of the Philippine Sea was just too good to be true. To Halsey, the main Japanese fleet was NORTH and threatening that flank. Besides, the Japanese had already lost Musashi and got a bloody nose, their last course of action was away from Leyte. It is funny that Halsey gets so much grief for chasing down the Japanese carriers but Kinkaid, commander of 7th fleet, isn't given any for moving his battleships south chasing the Japanese SOUTHERN force.

[@tombogan03884]

@@EpicRenegade777 Halsey was a Destroyer commander, in the mold of Cochrane, or Pellew. Spruance, like Nelson, did well in destroyers, but he was adaptable enough for other tasks as well.

[@williamcostigan91]

Got a good chuckle out of his very thorough solo inspection of his Battleship. I bet his men loved him for that bit of cheekiness.

[@mechakid]

It was TECHNICALLY an inspection

[@patrickocampo494]

@@mechakid Given that he was an avid hiker I'll bet it didn't take him very long.

[@user-mp3eq6ir5b]

Imagine your Admiral jogging a full circuit around his Flagship.

[@fabianzimmermann5495]

Love these videos about the lives of US admirals. They're all so interesting people with interesting careers. I really hope Frank Jack Fletcher is on the list of admirals you will make videos about. He definitely deserves some spotlight.

[@Ricky40369]

I totally agree. I believe he was much underappreciated.

[@charleslarrivee2908]

I was literally just going to say something along those lines.

[@kennethdeanmiller7324]

Yes, I agree! Fletcher & Spruance together made Midway happen the way it happened! I seriously doubt that if Halsey had remained in charge that the USA would have achieved the major victory that it achieved at Midway! However, also, the Doolittle Raid on the Japanese Home Islands, I believe, Led to the response from the Japanese with them trying to quickly take Midway Island. Cuz they thought that if they took Midway, they could force a quick surrender from the USA. Not realizing that the USA was going all out, and the bombing of Pearl Harbor had sent America into a rage that the world had seldom seen! And the USA',s rage would envelope the entire nation & it would take numerous years to cool down.

[@spudskie3907]

I was going to post the same thing. Fletcher has been criminally under appreciated by historians. He fought in 3 of the 5 carrier battles of WWII and didn’t lose.

[@EliteF22]

It's terrible what they did to Fletcher.

[@johnfleet235]

I have studied Admiral Spruance for years. It is not often talked about, but I have always thought Spruance was lucky to have the first 6 months of the war commanding the cruisers/destroyers screening Enterprise. He was able to be learn how to be a wartime Admiral, without being in the spotlight.

[@ewok40k]

I was not aware Nimitz gave those secret , by spoken word only, orders. This puts Spruance truly into another light at Midway. He was actually going very risky considering his main objective was actually force preservation. Considering both Enterprise and Hornet were invaluable for the rest of the time before Essex class started coming into service, I completely understand Nimitz's way of thinking.

[@johnhallett5846]

Nimitz understood That Midway was NOT REALLY THAT IMPORTANT. Good to have but not critical. Keeping his fleet intact if no chance to ambush the Japanese was simply the smart play

[@wolftamer5463]

@@johnhallett5846Also that Midway would be comparatively easy to retake since it would stretch the Japanese supply lines while the Americans could just hit it with land based bombers from Hawaii and use submarines on transports.

[@SoloRenegade]

correct, Midway was all about taking out the Japanese carriers, not about actually defending Midway itself, which Japan had no serious means of holding onto anyways.

[@jimstanga6390]

@@SoloRenegadeThe Japanese felt the same way. It would be desirable to have Midway as a base, but the real value was its proximity to Hawaii and the American tactical response, which afforded an opportunity engage the American Carriers in a decisive engagement.

[@workingguy6666]

Does anyone else suspect that some form of intelligence KNEW (strongly suspected) that the Japanese were on the move to Hawaii, and that this is why the cruiser, battleships and destroyers carried on to the operating area? Seems like the separation was the stance for a fight that didn't happen. The separated force of non-carriers were the seekers (or 'bait') - whatever it took to engage the Japanese away from Pearl. Withe the admitted numbers of ultra-secret by-word-of-mouth intel and orders of this era, and Halsey's command to General Quarters upon the separation, it seems to be a strong possibility.

[@grahamstrouse1165]

You’re commitment to putting out professional quality, exquisitely researched content week after week after week is kinda amazing, Drach.

[@theleva7]

27:00 "And that's what you're going to command, officer, the air station with the best foundatuions in all of the Carribean" - the bright mind that decided to build a -castle- naval air station on a swamp

[@blshouse]

"... So I built a third. That burned down, fell over, then sank into the swamp. But the fourth one stayed up."

[@notshapedforsportivetricks2912]

​@@blshouse I bet that all the other Admirals said you were daft to build an airstation on a swamp, but you built it anyway. Just to show 'em.

[@species3167]

@@blshouse AD&D Castle Builders Guide? NICE

[@martystrasinger3801]

And no singing!

[@johnfowler8330]

I love the fact that you mentioned his use of maneuvering boards at the end of the video. As a former US Navy CIC crewmember, we used maneuvering boards extensively 👍 Yet another excellent video, Sir. Thank you.

[@rackstraw]

Because shiphandling by eye is impressive...until you f**k it up. The Maneuvering Board allows you to come up with a solution to get it right the first time. An outstanding old analog tool. 🙂

[@RetiredSailor60]

I am a retired OS1. Taught OS A School twice at Dam Neck in Virginia Beach.

[@Wolfeson28]

Definitely an admiral I'm interested to learn more about. Nothing flashy or flamboyant about him, but just a calm quiet competence with clear-headed assessment of the situation at hand. He's not the sort of commander that people make action movies about, and his quiet nature did lead to him being a bit overshadowed at times, but I'd consider him a model of effective leadership.

[@michaeldebellis4202]

Agree. He’s always been one of my heroes. Unlike other commanders, he went out of his way to avoid the press and publicity and just focused on doing his job over personal glory.

[@henrivanbemmel]

Yes, indeed. Effective leadership avoids crises of your own making.

[@dmacarthur5356]

"The Quiet Warrior" by Thomas Buell is an excellent read about Adm. Spruance

[@michaeldebellis4202]

@@dmacarthur5356 I agree, it's a great book.

[@geradkavanagh8240]

Probably should be a series about him. A movie wouldn't be long enough to develop his character.

[@JoshuaSigloch]

Talk about a compliment from your father in law. "You're too honest and upstanding an individual to work in business".

[@darkgalaxy5548]

Says alot for capitalism

[@ph89787]

Also, for anyone who wants to research Spruance further, Check out his Biography, "The Quiet Warrior." By Thomas B Buell.

[@jh93989]

Agreed, found a copy at a Goodwill of all places and its been a great read.

[@ph89787]

@@jh93989 I got the audiobook.

[@JackNiles-hc8yz]

Buell's bio on Ernest King is even better.

[@bagoquarks]

Thank you! I was not aware: A. how early in their careers Spruance and Halsey had started operating together; B. how Spruance had to maneuver to get a sea command out of Pearl Harbor vs. being a paper pusher for King at the outbreak of WW2. Always learning with Drach!

[@Redlin5]

One of the most important admirals to ever defend my continent, thank you from Canada Spruance! I always held you in high esteem when I first learned World War naval history.

[@johnbeauvais3159]

Using an out of date officer device and basically waiting for someone to say something about it is peak E-4 behavior

[@johngregory4801]

The E4 Mafia doesn't exist. Really! 😂😂😂

[@bandit6272]

E-4 mafia, assemble!!! Sham like you've never shammed before!!!

[@jefferyindorf699]

​@johngregory4801 As a former E-4, I can neither confirm or deny the existence of the E-4 mafia. 😊

[@DTinkerer]

E4?

[@dougjb7848]

@@jefferyindorf699 And even that cannot be confirmed.

[@animal16365]

Dangnabit. I was so enthralled in this video and it had to end when things were getting very interesting.

[@stamasd8500]

What a cliffhanger. Who the hell can anticipate what happens next. :)

[@stephenkayser3147]

My thoughts exactly.

[@spaceskipster4412]

Dah, Dah, Dah…! And in the next thrilling episode… 💥🇺🇸 🗾 🤫

[@bbbabrock]

Same here . Tho we should of known. It says right in the thumbnail "From birth to Midway".

[@santiago5388]

I haven't commented in a long time. But thanks a lot for the video, really like the detail and information that you put into every video.

[@b.thomas8926]

I second that. =)

[@user-zq4zi3dy3c]

Thank you for your service! I served on a Spruance class destroyer the USS Fife DD991 from 1985 to 1990.

[@RetiredSailor60]

USS Kinkaid DD 965 1987-89

[@rafaelj.benero4880]

Thank you for your service!...

[@georgelite2494]

@retiredsailor60 My first ship! 1997 before heading off to FC A school. Never got to deploy on the old Kinky-D (coed ship by the time it came out of Long Beach with the Mk41 VLS upgrade), but I’ll always have fond memories of my time there.

[@RetiredSailor60]

@@georgelite2494 I never deployed on her either. 17 of my 24 months onboard were in the shipyard

[@johnwalters1341]

I was your friendly PACE instructor on Fife in 1985.

[@raymondtonns2521]

thank you for this biography. may men of his character and verve be with us and all free people.

[@timwerner7771]

DRach;s VERY dry humor just kills me. @10:20 I have to pause and laugh so hard my eyes water. So great.

[@martinswiney2192]

Drach had me laughing at 1:10 by mentioning Indianapolis and intellectual scene in the same sentence. 😂

[@TheIndianalain]

I always considered Ray Spruance one of the greatest US commanders of all times, and unjustely rather unknown to the public. Your documentary really matches my expectations! Detailed, greatly narrated with the occasional touch of humour (the dummy torpedoes affair!), and showing not only a very intelligent and competent officer, but also a caring and wise husband and father. Can't wait for the next episode(s).

[@mencken8]

One of my two favorite USN admirals. Spruance’s bust is in the Naval War College for a reason.

[@Everywhere2]

You've fascinated me with things I'm not interested in - or wasn't. Now? I'm a drachaddict.

[@mrz80]

Eagerly awaiting part two of this! I've always held Spruance in very high esteem.

[@sfs2040]

Halsey getting 5 stars and Spruence not is one of the great injustices of the WWII US Navy

[@fredsafarowic3149]

You can thank Carl Vinson for that abomination.

[@JackNiles-hc8yz]

Bradley getting 5 stars because he was MacArthur's boss is equally as bad, if not worse.

[@jdrobertson42]

Little did the navy realize that their practice torpedoes were as dangerous, if not more so, than their real torpedoes.

[@notshapedforsportivetricks2912]

To be fair, they probably weren't Mk 14s.

[@jophussaurus2450]

Everyone talks so badly about the US navy but why is their combat record so good? I honestly don’t get it, maybe I’m not in touch with the jokes

[@matthewjohnson4800]

​@@jophussaurus2450As an organization, the US Navy is just fine. But even they have the occasional screw up due to total incompetence. The mk 14 torpedo is one prime example. Drach has a video on it if you want to know more.

[@JoshuaTootell]

The USN is an amazing force ​@jophussaurus2450 The people who supplied some of their weapons is a different story. Look into the MK14 torpedo.

[@adambebb99]

@@jophussaurus2450 the Mk 14 is the joke

[@danaohlson3316]

Most excellent Drach. Looking forward to the second part.

[@w.osterberg9385]

Me too!

[@user-bh1lk9rj7j]

Thanks for a very informative and occasionally humorous history of admiral Spruance rise in the American navy.

[@genebohannon8820]

For a simple maintenance ship the USS Vestal sure does show her prow identity quite often. Good girl.

[@m.r.donovan8743]

If a nation is very fortunate, a man like Raymond Spruance comes along once about every hundred years or so. The United States was doubly lucky to have Chester Nimitiz come along at the same time. If you count ALL of their mistakes throughout the entire Pacific war, you can do it on one hand... with fingers left over. Thanks Drach for reminding the world of this great leader.

[@stargazer5784]

Drach old boy... Having followed the growth and development of your channel for a number of years, I can state with confidence that of all of the different kinds of videos that you produce (ship guides, dry docks, battle scenarios, etc.), your biographies of the officers and sailors who've served throughout history are the best. Although obviously intended to be serious in content and historically accurate, your sense of humor makes them fun to listen to, and your insights into the subject's quirks of personality adds to the enjoyment. Your 'Voyage of the Damned' and several other story telling videos (the great dane video, cats as ship's mascot video, etc.) are also outstanding and well produced. Thx.

[@CaptainKirk1963]

I did not know Spruance was Born in Baltimore. Samuel E Morris said he was sharp as a razor under pressure. The 76 Movie Midway is my favorite Movie, it nails him and Halsey,great casting. Halsey was from Elizabeth NJ. And played on a. Navy football team that went 0 and 10. Our anti aircraft guns became lethal as hell. The 40 mm Bofars fire control and the proximity shells in 43.

[@ktinsley4579]

Late night listening is appreciated. From vegas with love.

[@PalleRasmussen]

Patrolling The Mojawe almost makes you wish for a nuclear winter.

[@The_cestelin_Holland]

​@@PalleRasmussen I just knew someone was going to make that joke

[@PalleRasmussen]

@@The_cestelin_Holland you have to. It is almost as inevitable as arrows to the knee.

[@ktinsley4579]

Where is the rest bro?

[@arunta5]

Spruance was a destroyer flotilla commander but Chester Nimitz saw qualities of leadership in him and was totally vindicated. I read somewhere that he was a hypochondriac but that did not stop him. He was in charge of the three carriers at the Battle of Midway the initial turning point of the Pacific Naval Campaign.

[@Robin35758]

I believe that Spruance commanded the Enterprise and the Hornet and that Fletcher commanded the Yorktown.

[@arunta5]

@@Robin35758 Yes I believe Nimintz placed him in overall command of the US Forces for that battle.

[@ErikHare]

If you come to San Francisco I can take you to the grave of Admiral Spruance. It's very close to me in San Bruno. He is buried next to Admiral Nimitz

[@jaybee9269]

I had no idea. Heck, I’d do that in a hot minute if I wasn’t disabled.

[@antoninuspius1747]

His career highlights an important aspect of career advancement and good advice for the younger viewers out there. Get exposed to a wide variety of aspects on how a company works. I spent 30 years in engineering advancing up the chain in an aerospace company. Early/Mid-career I was asked to become a purchasing liasson. My initial reaction was "Why the heck do I want to do that?". But had a great boss who told me getting exposed to a variety of company OPs was extremely valuable and recommended I do it. Well, kind of told me to do it. I did it for a year and it WAS absolutely invaluable. Did a similar rotation through QA and it was just as valuable. The US armed forces do that well. In fact, if you're NOT moved around into positions you may not think useful, your career is stalled and they don't think you're top notch.

[@hookalakah]

Thank God we had Admiral Spruance.

[@douglasharley2440]

i absolutely *love* these in-depth looks at these ww2 naval figures, much thanks! lol, i listened to a whole mob of 'em over the past two weeks while on vacation, driving 5500 miles to 8 different national parks. pre-download ftw! ✌😎

[@Squirrelmugger]

When Time tried to portray him as the hard driving hard fighting workaholic admiral, his chief of staff Charles Moore thought that was so funny that he had to replace the copy Spruance had thrown away so he could show it to every sailor that happened to step into flag country on the Indianapolis and have a big laugh at the thought of Spruance being a workaholic.

[@timwerner7771]

RE: Uss Iowa.."Her job was to wander up and down the east coast of the United States" Ha!

[@kennethdeanmiller7324]

Yeah, I actually thought we would get a video from Drach on Fletcher before we got one on Spruance but I guess I was wrong. Not disappointed cuz he's probably going by requests & I believe Spruance deserves recognition as well. But the things I've heard about Fletcher on this channel I'm fairly certain Drach thinks that Fletcher has gotten a bad reputation from some of the people in the US Navy ie: Turner blaming everyone he could instead of taking responsibility himself. Which actually would have made people think more highly of him imho. However, Fletcher was under orders to not risk his carriers unless he knew he could deal the enemy significant loses. And having his carriers at Guadal Canal for extended periods was a major unnecessary risk. Especially considering how vulnerable carriers and their escorts are during the night hours and if they are guarding a certain land mass they are easier to find. And with the Japanese having the type 93 torpedo in their arsenal that vulnerability was even more than realized at the time. And presence of the carriers would not have stopped the Japanese force that sank the numerous American cruisers during the first Naval Battle of Guadal Canal. The American Cruisers & Destroyers that night made many mistakes. And paid dearly for it. And the fact that going to action stations meant a game of musical chairs while the Japanese used those precious few minutes to tear their ships apart was also a hard learned lesson in futility. The US Navy would have to enact a lot of changes to finally be ready when the Japanese came calling again. And would also have to realize the Japanese had some very deadly torpedoes.😢

[@robertf3479]

Congratulations on topping 500k subscribers Drach. Let me dip my oar into the argument on Spruance being a more capable Fleet Commander than Halsey. After the Battle of Midway, Spruance took flak from Admirals and "Armchair Commanders" who felt that withdrawing to the East and out of reach of possible Japanese reprisal was the wrong thing to do. Carrier buffs point out that in Enterprise and Hornet, even with depleted airgroups Spruance would be "unbeatable" and could destroy the remainder of the Japanese fleet at will, an argument that continues even today. A Surface Warfare commander himself (using today's terminology) Spruance foresaw that continuing to the West through the night after the carrier action might very easily result in the two irreplaceable surviving USN carriers with only cruisers and destroyers as backup finding themselves under the guns of the Japanese Heavy Cruiser Bombardment Group and possibly even fast battleships. Enterprise and Hornet would very quickly find themselves the focus of heavy gunfire that neither could survive.

[@mikespangler98]

Even more so since Nagumo was hoping for a nighttime gun and torpedo fight.

[@SS-ec2tu]

Also remember the Japanese submarine threat.

[@warrenjones744]

Oh man is this good stuff Drach...More please

[@w.osterberg9385]

I agree, would love a part 2 with his wartime career and life after the war

[@nathangillispie51]

Great choice for a video Drach

[@lloydknighten5071]

Drachinifel, this "Storytime With Uncle Drach" on Admiral Spruance was A1! I enjoy your admiral biographies. I hope you will do one of my favorite US admiral; William "Bull" Halsey.

[@johnmoore8599]

Ended on a cliffhanger! Nice touch! Thanks for telling us about Spruance and his life! He seemed to have an open mind.

[@TomFynn]

And later those sailors on the lower yardarms would tell stories how a young Admiral Spruance had once vomited on them from above.

[@stephenmcguire7801]

Yes, it puts a different spin on kicking down to get ahead.

[@stuweiss-zi9rc]

Can’t wait for the next installment! Lots of insights, reminds me of some of the discussions in Unauthorized History of the Pacific War with Seth and Bill.

[@andrewgraham6006]

These videos on notable admirals are without question some of the best material you have produced thus far ( up there with the 3 Jutland videos ) They give incredible insight into the lives these men led and put into context some off their actions both good and bad , it also allows for some less notable actions / events to be covered in a manner upon which they’re normally glossed over . Have you ever considered delving into the traditions of the various navy’s of the world as I can see such content having the same effects of allowing for some truly interesting but small aspects to be discussed .

[@PupthePitbull]

Congrats on 500k subs Drach

[@huskergator9479]

Drach i thoroughly enjoy these views into the important people in WW2. I appreciate the large amount of work it takes for your viewers to feel like they know these guys when we’re done watching. Thank you so much. Love and respect from the Great Plains.

[@WilliamSmith-zk4tj]

The holiday incident it must have been something interesting for him to call that holiday I'm pretty sure of it I think the runaround was something the crew needed I would love to have known that little scenario and story

[@Thoofdecay]

Fascinating video! Although I am certain all of human warfare has shared the same trait, it is so fascinating how the minute details of ww2 are preserved to history: talk back to ones captain here, attend a dinner there, another person catches a fever there. And all of a sudden some of the wars major personal decisions are slightly changed. Often to a great change in outcome!

[@-r-495]

I find these character profiles very interesting and a logical continuation from your excellent description of the assets and rules of the big gun game.

[@-r-495]

I‘d probably have a questionable temper in an environment of lead paint fumes..

[@markhaga8408]

"Thank you. You know what to do" is British levels of stoicism

[@markstott6689]

You know that you have watched a great video, when at the end, you feel great disappointment that it's over. 😊❤😊

[@EllieMaes-Grandad]

Spruance is mentioned in the movie "Hunt for Red October" in that Marko Ramius states that he has read Jack Ryan's book on the admiral. In the novel itself, however, Jack is said to be still writing the book at that time. In the most recent Clancy book, "Act of Defiance" (2024), it receives another [incorrect] mention. Not the end of the world, but I offer this as an interesting quirk . . .

[@vollelektrolysierer5773]

Ryan wrote a book on Halsey which Ramius dismisses as "Your conclusions were all wrong, Halsey was a fool.", proably on Leyte Gukf

[@sandrodunatov485]

Great video about not-so-often remembered minutiae about such a great Admiral.

[@66Grudge]

Having served on a Spruance class Destroyer, I found this an excellant video. Bravo Zulu!

[@admiraltiberius1989]

Spruance did screw up during Hailstone, he almost cost the US Navy one or two brand-new Fast battleships. But thats still nothing compared to what Halsey did. For 42 and for most of 43, Halsey was a better Admiral, better suited for the brawling kind of fights the Navy was involved in. But by 44 Spruance and superior intellectual and patience were perfect for how the war was going.

[@peterkoch3777]

Wasn't Halsey very sick when Spruance got his chance to show his qualities in 44?

[@admiraltiberius1989]

@peterkoch3777 no he was on the beach as it was Spruances turn to take command.

[@VersusARCH]

​@@peterkoch3777That was at Midway at 1942.

[@jaybee9269]

25:03 USS Mississippi was gorgeous!

[@NormanSilv]

Another "Old salt" Jesse Orendorff. He led the trap in the Surigao Straits with a fleet of 40+ year old warships. My uncle was the Fire Control Officer on the USS Tennessee.

[@peterbrazier7107]

Admiral Spruance didn't smoke, yet in the 1976 film Midway Glenn Ford was smoking a Cigar in the bridge of the USS Enterprise.

[@VersusARCH]

This programme had been brought to you by British-American Tobacco...

[@genericpersonx333]

Not that I am saying you are wrong, but I am curious where you heard he was not a smoker such that it would be inappropriate for him to have a cigar. I mainly ask because I know people who didn't smoke habitually, but rather treated it as a special treat to be indulged on rare occasion, sometimes just a handful of times a year. Indeed, I knew a fellow who only smoked the one or two cigars gifted to him by a specific friend; otherwise he never touched the stuff.

[@Vito_Tuxedo]

@@genericpersonx333 - Indeed, the occasional use of tobacco as a celebratory or bonding ritual has a long history, and is something that is completely beyond the comprehension of those who have been programmed to adopt a knee-jerk attitude of deprecation and condemnation that insists it can only ever be "a filthy habit". In fact, a habit is precisely what it is NOT; that is why it has value and meaning.

[@genericpersonx333]

@@Vito_Tuxedo Indeed!

[@TheBasil36]

No, but it's a slippery slope to becoming a habit. Hence the standard reaction of "your all in or all out." I'd love to casually smoke a cigar but I'm not dealing with quitting smoking again.

[@jannarkiewicz633]

Cripes Drach... You ended with a cliff hanger... You're killing us.

[@steeltrap3800]

Very pleased to see this. Spruance strikes me as an outstanding senior officer often overlooked other than Midway, where sometimes he's criticised anyway (and entirely unjustifiably IMO), but of course that's just my view.

[@Historyguy-xu5ht]

Whoop whoop! We are so back baby!

[@daduck8792]

Duck's are people too

[@dreddfan01]

30:09 a rare photo of the battleship crosshair in action.

[@user-sq4yl5nf1d]

Good video. Thanks Drach.

[@thcdreams654]

Great content. Thank you. Hope all is well with you.

[@NigelDeForrest-Pearce-cv6ek]

Brilliant Video, Illustrating that Spruance was Far More Than Just a Cruiser Admiral!!!

[@gjf984]

Very fine job with this. For me, this posting has filled out my understanding of Spruance's career ascent and of his oersonal life.

[@drpepperr]

Thoroughly enjoyed this. Thank you.

[@ianday5583]

I can't wait untill part two. A masterful documentary of the US Navy's finest carrier admiral.

[@Vito_Tuxedo]

Brilliantly done, Drach! Your biographies are among your most engaging videos, full of fascinating and previously unknown (to me) minutiae that bring these characters to life, and offer a valuable perspective that a non-historian (like myself) would otherwise never have seen, much less appreciated. Now I see your sinister mind - subverting us all into an ever deeper appreciation of naval history! I doubt I'm alone in my perception that your work qualifies you for an Admiralship among naval historians. 😎

[@jackr2287]

The story of the double pace inspection shows a few things: 1. His command was light. He could trust his men to do what needed to be done. 2. It wasn't too light though. Clearly he ran a good ship, and ensured his folks were doing what needed to be done.

[@davewitter6565]

Great story telling of the making of a Naval Hero.

[@patrickwentz8413]

love it. My second favorite admiral after Fletcher.

[@warroompainstate2661]

Once again Drach you give us another great video. Keep up the good work and you will have an excellent fitness report.

[@vernonfindlay1314]

Thanks bud,awesome, just awesome,American,Japanese naval ww2 I eat it all up. Historical I love,but naval and the great depression video are awesome. Thanks again, a Canadian here,keep it up,we have a new car sales manager from England who was in the military. God bless from🇨🇦

[@Handcarvedbyrandy]

I love your videos. My Dad served on the seaplane tender USS Currituck and has long downplayed the importance of this type of vessel because of its relatively unknown status. From what I've been able to obtain and read, the seaplane tender made an important contribution to the war effort and to operations in the early part of the cold war. My humble request is that you might do a video on the contribution made by and the history of this overlooked type of ship. Thank you for what you do.

[@bluelemming5296]

A video would be great. Until it appears, you might check out the book "Eyes of the Fleet: The U.S. Navy's Seaplane Tenders and Patrol Aircraft in World War II" by David Bruhn. I'd love to find a book or paper that covered non-US ships of this type, including some of the Japanese cruisers that doubled as seaplane tenders. FYI, the 3d printing crowd does have some relatively inexpensive models for WW2 seaplane tenders and seaplanes available for purchase. There are also kits for serious modellers who want to build their own.

[@Handcarvedbyrandy]

@@bluelemming5296 I've read several, including that one. I scratch-built a model of the USS Currituck about 30 years ago as a present for my dad. I've got a resin kit I haven't built yet too. I'd like for there to be a video because my dad could watch it. There are actually a few films on youtube of seaplane tenders in action.

[@GG-yr5ix]

Excellent history. It is interesting that Spruance was the only person that Admiral King would shut up and listen to without the usual "sparks". Nimitz had a stroke of genius about people, Spruance was the strategist. Alternating Spruance and Halsey put the Japanese in a tailspin late in the war.

[@Smannellites]

Thank you for a brilliantly researched and detailed history. Very interesting and thorough.

[@stflaw]

This is some wonderful writing. Just finished reading Pacific Crucible, so it is interesting to listen to a profile of Spruance.

[@ottomeineke9230]

Thank you Drach.🫡

[@chipsawdust5816]

As usual, the best documentary about Fletcher you will find on YT.

[@CrazyPetez]

This is an excellent report about Spruance.

[@lzappa9109]

11/10! Again. Thank you really appreciated.

[@GrahamWKidd]

78% is a huge pass rate. In the 80's Duntroon graduation rate was around 60%!

[@bigsarge2085]

Excellent deep dive!

[@mrpete5482]

Drach, this is a gem of a biography. It is extraordinarily well crafted and... CLIFFHANGER!😄

[@RayBecker]

Shipmate!! Thank you so much for making this video. Admiral Spruance was one of the great leaders of WWII. More people need to better understand these incredible Commanders because most of what they've done was not in Mahan's book. Our Navies; The Royal Navy and the US Navy owe these people everything we did when we were on Active Duty. As always, love what you put out. Enjoy the rest of your week!! If you ever get close to WV here in the States, look me up.

[@swiftmatic]

@12:15, "...glowing fitness report." No fkn doubt! 😅

[@bholdr----0]

I have really enjoyed all of the vids about the various admirals of consequence in the period that the channel covered- the ones about King, Cochrane, and Willis Lee in particular (the Nelson series, too, but his career has been far more widely covered, so that was less unique/consequential, even though it is also excellent. Anyway, Since I've always been a fan of biographies and (obviously) naval history, I would appreciate anymore bios along these lines. (McCain? Farragut? Keith? At. Vincent? Etc...) Thanks, Drach- Cheers!

[@TonyAz71]

The narrative came to a halt. It was essential to resume with his command during the Midway battle.

[@slartybartfarst55]

1:15 Baby "Bouncing Back & Forth between Indianapolis & Baltimore" Immediately saw one of those Monty Python Cartoons ! 😂😂

[@maryholder3795]

😂😂😂

[@jameshannagan4256]

I'd love to see Fletcher get his day in court so to speak. I'm still puzzled as to why he doesn't get a lot more credit for his work in the very difficult early war period. I wonder who it was who hated Fletcher so much (King) it certainly wasn't Nimitz.

[@michaeloswalt3809]

I think we can blame Samuel Eliot Morison. Morison asked Fletcher to reconstruct some of his wartime papers that were lost (in battles?) along the way, Fletcher refused and could not be bothered with it. Morison gave Fletcher the short end when he wrote his Magnum Opus on the history of US Navy Operations in the war. Other historians followed suit. I think only now some have come to appreciate Fletcher's contributions. He had no problem giving operational command during Midway to Spruance when he lost Yorktown. imo

[@JackNiles-hc8yz]

I don't think that King was ever impressed much by Fletcher, but "hate" is a pretty strong term here, even if we're talking about Ernie King.

[@caboosehelpsu2840]

The silent but deadly. Keep it!

[@ColonelSandersLite]

Gotta respect a man that can clear out a whole battleship.

[@maxcleveland3446]

Douglas SBD Dauntless

[@christianhaupt2637]

Absolutely love these videos drach! Please keep these coming!

[@legiran9564]

The closest thing we got to a T800 with an admiral rank.