Raymond A. Spruance

Raymond A. Spruance
Spruance in April 1944
Nickname(s)	"Electric Brain" "Quiet Warrior"
Born	(1886-07-03)July 3, 1886 Baltimore, Maryland, US
Died	December 13, 1969(1969-12-13) (aged 83) Pebble Beach, California, US
Buried	Golden Gate National Cemetery, San Bruno, California (section C-1,3)
Allegiance	United States
Service/branch	United States Navy
Years of service	1907–1948
Rank	Admiral
Commands held	United States Fifth Fleet United States Pacific Fleet
Battles/wars	World War I World War II Battle of Midway Battle of Tarawa Battle of Saipan Battle of Tinian Battle of the Philippine Sea Battle of Iwo Jima Battle of Okinawa
Awards	Navy Cross Navy Distinguished Service Medal (3) Army Distinguished Service Medal
Other work	Ambassador to the Philippines

Raymond Ames Spruance (July 3, 1886 – December 13, 1969) was a United States Navy admiral during World War II. He commanded U.S. naval forces during the Battle of the Philippine Sea, one of the most significant naval battles of the Pacific Theatre. He also commanded Task Force 16 at the Battle of Midway, comprising the carriers Enterprise and Hornet. At Midway, dive bombers from Enterprise sank four larger carriers of the Imperial Japanese Navy. Most historians consider Midway the turning point of the Pacific War.^[1]

Official Navy historian Samuel Eliot Morison characterized Spruance's performance as "superb", and he was nicknamed "electric brain" for his calmness even in moments of supreme crisis, a reputation enhanced by his successful tactics.^[2] He emerged from the war as one of the greater admirals in American naval history.^[3] After the war, Spruance was appointed President of the Naval War College, and later served as American ambassador to the Philippines.