William Frederick "Bull" Halsey Jr. (October 30, 1882 - August 16, 1959) was a prominent American Navy admiral during World War II. He held the distinguished rank of five-star fleet admiral, one of only four officers in the United States Navy to achieve this honor, alongside William Leahy, Ernest J. King, and Chester W. Nimitz.
Early Life and Naval Beginnings
Born in Elizabeth, New Jersey, Halsey's naval lineage was evident from his ancestry. His father, William F. Halsey Sr., was a Captain in the United States Navy, and an ancestor, Captain John Halsey, served in the Royal Navy. Halsey's early life was marked by a strong connection to his heritage, feeling a "kinship" with his English ancestors who emigrated to America in the early 1600s.
Initially, Halsey considered a career in medicine, enrolling at the University of Virginia. However, he soon received an appointment to the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, entering in the fall of 1900. During his time at the academy, he excelled in athletics, lettering in football as a fullback and earning several honors. He graduated in 1904.
Early Naval Career and World War I
Halsey's early service years were spent aboard battleships. He sailed with the Great White Fleet aboard the USS Kansas, which circumnavigated the globe from 1907 to 1909. A significant event occurred on April 13, 1904, when a flareback aboard the USS Missouri resulted in the tragic deaths of 31 officers and sailors.
His career took a turn towards torpedoes and torpedo boats, becoming his specialty. He served aboard the USS Du Pont in 1909 and commanded the First Group of the Atlantic Fleet's Torpedo Flotilla from 1912 to 1913. During World War I, Halsey commanded destroyers that escorted convoys across the Atlantic, providing crucial protection against German U-boats. At this time, torpedo boats and destroyers were the most effective means of delivering torpedoes against capital ships.
Interwar Period and Aviation Advocacy
In October 1922, Halsey served as the Naval Attaché at the American Embassy in Berlin, Germany, and later held additional duties in Norway, Denmark, and Sweden. He returned to sea duty commanding destroyers and later served as executive officer of the battleship USS Wyoming and commanded the station ship USS Reina Mercedes at the Naval Academy.
A pivotal moment in Halsey's career came in 1934 when he was offered command of the aircraft carrier USS Saratoga, provided he completed a course in naval aviation. Halsey chose to undertake the full 12-week Naval Aviator course, stating, "I thought it better to be able to fly the aircraft itself than to just sit back and be at the mercy of the pilot." He earned his gold Naval Aviator wings in 1935 at the age of 52, becoming the oldest person to do so in the Navy at that time. This experience solidified his belief in the importance of airpower, and he became a vocal advocate for its role in naval warfare, famously remarking, "The naval officer in the next war had better know his aviation, and good."
World War II and the Pacific Theater
Halsey was promoted to rear admiral in 1938. As tensions with Japan escalated in 1941, he was Vice Admiral and commander of the Aircraft Battle Force of the Pacific Fleet, overseeing the three aircraft carriers present at Pearl Harbor.
Pearl Harbor and Early Raids
On November 28, 1941, following naval intelligence that suggested Wake Island as a likely target for a Japanese attack, Admiral Kimmel ordered Halsey to ferry aircraft to Wake Island aboard the USS Enterprise. Halsey was given a "free hand" to engage any Japanese forces encountered. His operations were met with apprehension from some of his staff, but Halsey famously declared, "I'll take it!" when questioned about potentially starting a private war.
A storm delayed Enterprise's return to Hawaii, and on December 7, 1941, Halsey's fleet, still at sea, received news of the attack on Pearl Harbor by overhearing desperate radio transmissions from one of their own aircraft, which was subsequently shot down. Upon returning to Pearl Harbor on December 8, surveying the wreckage, Halsey vowed, "Before we're through with them, the Japanese language will be spoken only in Hell."
In the early months of the war, Halsey, aboard the Enterprise, led a series of aggressive hit-and-run raids against Japanese-held territories, including the Gilbert and Marshall Islands, Wake Island, and the Doolittle Raid on Tokyo in April 1942. These actions provided a much-needed boost to American morale.
The Battle of Midway and Illness
Naval intelligence indicated a planned Japanese attack on Midway Atoll. The loss of Midway would have posed a significant threat to Hawaii and the West Coast of the United States. However, on May 26, 1942, Halsey returned to Pearl Harbor from his last raid in poor health. A severe skin condition, variously identified as shingles, atopic dermatitis, and psoriasis, caused him intense itching and made sleep nearly impossible. This condition is believed to have been aggravated by stress, smoking, and coffee consumption.
Due to his health, Halsey was unable to command the crucial Battle of Midway in June 1942. He recommended Rear Admiral Raymond Spruance to take command, a decision supported by Admiral Nimitz. Halsey was sent to San Francisco for specialized treatment and was ordered to rest for six weeks. This period of convalescence meant he missed the pivotal Battle of Midway, where the Americans inflicted a decisive blow on the Japanese Navy.
Command in the South Pacific and Guadalcanal Campaign
After being medically cleared to return to duty, Halsey was appointed to command a carrier task force in the South Pacific Area. Arriving at area headquarters in Nouméa, New Caledonia, on October 18, 1942, he found the Guadalcanal campaign at a critical juncture. The 1st Marine Division was holding on precariously, and naval support had been inconsistent due to the reticence of Vice Admiral Robert L. Ghormley.
Admiral Nimitz, concluding that Ghormley had become dispirited, decided to replace him with Halsey. The change in command was a welcome surprise and provided an immediate morale boost to the beleaguered Marines. Halsey's aggressive approach contrasted sharply with Ghormley's caution. He was determined to secure Guadalcanal and regain the initiative against the Japanese. A notable early order from Halsey was to dispense with neckties with tropical uniforms, aiming for comfort and conformity with Army practices.
Halsey committed his limited naval forces to a series of battles around Guadalcanal, including the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands and the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal. For his leadership and increasing command responsibilities, Halsey was promoted to four-star admiral in October 1942. He appeared on the cover of Time magazine's November 1942 issue, lauded for his "professionally competent and militarily aggressive without being recklessly foolhardy" approach.
The Battle of Leyte Gulf and Subsequent Events
In 1944, the Pacific Fleet was reorganized into the "Big Blue Fleet," with command alternating between Halsey and Admiral Spruance. Halsey's Third Fleet was tasked with supporting General Douglas MacArthur's landings in the Philippines, a critical theater for Japan's fuel supply.
The Japanese Navy devised a complex plan involving three forces to counter the American landings. Their Northern Force was intended as a diversion to lure Halsey's Third Fleet away from Leyte. On October 23, 1944, American submarines detected the Japanese Center Force, prompting Halsey to deploy his air wings. This engagement evolved into the Battle of Leyte Gulf, comprising four separate battles.
During the Battle of the Sibuyan Sea on October 24, Halsey's carrier aircraft inflicted heavy damage on the Center Force. Believing the force was retreating, Halsey pursued the Northern Force, a decision that left the San Bernardino Strait unguarded. This tactical error, later known as "Halsey's Blunder" or "Bull's Run," led to the Battle off Samar, where a small group of American escort carriers and destroyers, known as "Taffy 3," heroically engaged much larger Japanese capital ships.
Despite urgent calls for assistance from Taffy 3, Halsey continued north. Admiral Nimitz's coded message inquiring about the whereabouts of Task Force 34, intended to be cryptic, was delivered to Halsey without the code, appearing as a rebuke. This initially infuriated Halsey, but he eventually ordered Task Force 34 to assist Taffy 3. However, by the time they arrived, the Japanese Center Force had withdrawn due to the fierce resistance from Taffy 3.
The Battle of Leyte Gulf was a decisive American victory, effectively crippling the Japanese Navy. However, Halsey's tactical misjudgment cast a shadow over his reputation. His penchant for aggressive action, while often successful, had nearly led to disaster.
Halsey's reputation faced further challenges in December 1944 when the Third Fleet encountered Typhoon Cobra. Halsey's decision to remain on station during the storm led to a court of inquiry. Incredibly, in June 1945, the fleet sailed through another typhoon, Connie, causing further damage. Despite recommendations for reassignment, Nimitz remained loyal to Halsey.
Later Life and Legacy
In December 1945, President Truman promoted Halsey to the rank of Fleet Admiral. He retired from active service in 1947 and later served on the board of the American Cable and Radio Corporation. Admiral Halsey died on August 16, 1959, at the age of 76.
William Halsey is remembered as one of the most significant figures of World War II. His early understanding of air power's importance and his aggressive utilization of aircraft carriers were instrumental in the Pacific War's outcome and continue to influence modern naval doctrine. While his decisions during the Battle of Leyte Gulf remain a subject of discussion, his courage, leadership, and tactical acumen solidified his place as a naval hero.