Admiral Raymond A. Spruance
U.S. Navy (USN)

Background
Raymond A. Spruance was born July 3, 1886 to parents Alexander Peterson Spruance and Annie Ames Hiss Spruance in in Baltimore, Maryland and grew up in Indianapolis, Indiana. He attended public schools in Indianapolis and graduated from Shortridge High School then was appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA) class of 1907 but graduated early on September 12, 1906 and commissioned as an Ensign.

Wartime History
Spruance was first assignment was aboard USS Iowa (BB-4). During July 1907 he transferred to USS Minnesota (BB-22) and participated in the around-the-world cruise of the Great White Fleet between 1907–1909.

Next, became commander of destroyer USS Bainbridge from March 1913 to May 1914, USS Osborne and three other destroyers, then battleship USS Mississippi. In 1916 he aided in the fitting out of USS Pennsylvania and served aboard her from her commissioning June 1916 until November 1917. During the last year of World War I he was assigned as Assistant Engineer Officer of the New York Naval Shipyard, and carried out temporary duty in London, England and Edinburgh, Scotland.

On June 6, 1942 Spruance was commander of Task Force 16 (TF-16) with USS Hornet and USS Enterprise at Midway.

On October 25, 1943 Spruance issues operation plan, which is subsequently modified somewhat, outlining organization and tasks of Operation Galvanic the invasion of the Gilbert Islands. On November 20, 1943 Operation Galvanic begins with Navy, Marine, and Army forces landing at Tarawa (Betio) and Makin.

On January 31, 1944 commander of the landings at Kwajalein Atoll by U.S. Army and U.S. Marines.

On February 17, 1944 commander of the Truk Striking Force that includes three fast carrier groups.

On January 27, 1945 Admiral Raymond A. Spruance and Vice Admiral Marc A. Mitscher, assumed command of the Pacific Fleet striking force.

On February 19, 1945 overall commander of the landing at Iwo Jima.

On April 1, 1945 during the Okinawa campaign, Spruance was the overall commander 5th Fleet with the Joint Expeditionary Force is under Vice Admiral Richmond K. Turner. The troops are under Lt. General Simon B. Buckner.

Postwar
Spruance was appointed President of the Naval War College. In 1952, appointed by U.S. President Harry S. Truman as the American ambassador to the Philippines for three years.

Awards
Spruance earned the Navy Cross, three Distinguished Service Medal (DSM) and the Army Distinguished Service Medal.

Memorials
Spruance died December 13, 1969 at age 83 in Pebble Beach, California. He is buried at Golden Gate National Cemetery at section C-1 site 3.

References
FindAGrave - ADM Raymond A. Spruance (photo, graver photo)

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