Admiral William F. Halsey Jr.

General Douglas MacArthur once called Admiral "Bull" Halsey "America's greatest fighting admiral." That he was. His choice of brutal force over fancy tactics earned him the nickname "Bull" from the press, though he was "Bill" to his friends. He accomplished so much in his time including serving 43 years in the United States Navy, and from his 1904 Annapolis graduation to his retirement in 1947 was Admiral of the Fleet. (Encarta) He served in two wars, and is best known for his victories against the Japanese in the Second World War. “Hit hard, hit fast, hit often.”(Chambers), was his motto and often said quote, and he certainly lived up to it.

William F. Halsey was born on October 30th, 1882 in Elizabeth New Jersey, his hometown for many years of his life. He was the son of Captain William F. Halsey of the U.S Navy. His father, Captain William F. Halsey was a tough man who influenced his son. He was a heavy drinker, which brings Halsey Jr. to later quote, “I never trust a man who doesn’t smoke or drink”, (Potter, 26). As a

In August of 1942, Halsey productively advanced through the Solomons, tanking hold of New Georgia and then tanking hold of a large beachhead in November, (Encarta). In October of 1942, only to add to his accomplishments, Halsey was made Commander South Pacific Forces and South Pacific Area. Along with that, Admiral William Halsey spent 1943 and early 1944 as South Pacific Area commander, directing the American offensive in the Solomon Islands, which would eventually lead to the capture of the island chain. In June of 1944, Halsey was given command of the Third Fleet and also designated the Commander Western Pacific Tack forces, which was a great benefit for the U.S. He would use the fleet in covering the American landings in Leyte during October of the same year, (WarDocuments). The Japanese used Halsey's aggressiveness against him, luring him north to attack Vice Admiral Jisaburo Ozawa's carrier fleet. Following the Okinawa campaign in July 1945, Halsey’s strong forces finally then struck in Tokyo and the Japanese mainland. The last attack of Halsey’s notorious forces was on August 1945. Combined with Admiral Thomas C. Kincaid's Seventh Fleet, the possible disaster turned into a decisive victory over Japan. 34 Japanese ships would be destroyed, among them three battleships and four aircraft carriers. After the surrender, Halsey was promoted to Fleet Admiral because of his ability to successfully handle the Japanese in Palaies, Philippines, Formosa, Okinawam and South China Sea. Admiral Halsey’s flag was then flying on the U.S.S Missouri on September 2nd in Tokyo Boy, when the formal Japanese surrender was signed onboard, (Chambers)

1934 embarked a whole new tactic for Halsey. He was reported to the Naval Air Station, Pensacola for some training in flight. He was chosen a Naval Aviator on May 15th 1935. (Potter) He went in command of the carrier U.S.S Saratoga for two years, and then followed with one year of being commander of the Naval Air Station, Pensacola. He had then reached the

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