The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Admiral [then Vice Admiral] Raymond Ames Spruance (NSN: 0-5844), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility as Chief of Staff and later as Deputy Commander in Chief, Pacific Fleet, while serving on the staff of Commander in Chief, Pacific Fleet and Pacific Ocean Areas, from 18 June 1942 to 5 August 1943. During this period of vital operations in the highly important Pacific Area, Admiral Spruance exercised sound judgment, keen foresight and expert administrative ability in carrying out his many and varied duties and, by his tireless effort and thorough comprehension of the tasks assigned him, contributed materially to increasing the tempo of the war against Japan. His forceful leadership and steadfast devotion to duty throughout a difficult period were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal
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Army Distinguished Service Medal
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Navy Cross
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Rear Admiral Raymond Ames Spruance (NSN: 0-5844), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility as Commander Central Pacific Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, during the seizure and occupation of the Gilbert Islands, in November 1943. In command of naval forces and certain Army amphibious and air forces during the assaults on Tarawa, Makin and Apamama, Vice Admiral Spruance conducted this action with daring strategy and brilliant employment of the units of this command. The expeditious completion of this vital operation under his forceful leadership assured success in opening the Central Pacific Area to the United States Forces.
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Rear Admiral Raymond Ames Spruance (NSN: 0-5844), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility as Task Force Commander, United States Pacific Fleet. During the Midway engagement which resulted in the defeat of and heavy losses to the enemy Fleet, his seamanship, endurance, and tenacity in handling his task force were of the highest quality.
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Army Distinguished Service Medal
War Department, General Orders No. 121 (October 17, 1946)The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Admiral Raymond Ames Spruance (NSN: 0-5844), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility as Task Force Commander during the capture of the Marshall and Mariana Islands. Admiral Spruance rendered exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services from January to June 1944. During the joint operations leading to the assault and capture of the important enemy bases, complete integration of Army and Navy units was accomplished under his outstanding leadership, enabling all the forces to perform their closely coordinated missions with outstanding success.
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Navy Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
AdmiralDivision:
5th Fleet, Pacific Fleet ForcesAction Date:
January – May, 1945
Commander in Chief Pacific: Serial 33720 (July 10, 1945)The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Admiral Raymond Ames Spruance (NSN: 0-5844), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commander, FIFTH Fleet, in action against enemy Japanese forces during the invasion and capture of Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, and Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, from January to May 1945. Responsible for the operation of a vast and complicated organization which included more than 500,000 men of the Army, Navy and Marine Corps, 318 combatant vessels and 1,139 auxiliary vessels, Admiral Spruance directed the forces under is command with daring, courage and aggressiveness. Carrier units of his force penetrated waters of the Japanese Homeland and Nansei Shoto and inflicted severe damage upon hostile aircraft, shore installations and shipping. Under repeated enemy aerial attack during the Iwo invasion, Admiral Spruance was embarked on the U.S.S. INDIANAPOLIS (CA-35) when the starboard quarter of that vessel was crashed by a hostile plane which passed through the main deck causing many casualties. Shifting his Flag to the U.S.S. NEW MEXICO (BB-40) on 5 April, he continued covering operations for the assault on Okinawa in the face of desperate enemy resistance and despite the strain of constant alerts as Japanese Kamikazes increased the fury of their attacks against our combatant and auxiliary vessels. On 12 May, another suicide plane crashed the deck of his Flagship. His professional skill, brilliant combat tactics and determination in carrying the fight to the enemy reflect the highest credit upon Admiral Spruance and the United States Naval Service.