William Frederick Halsey Jr

William Frederick Halsey, Jr. (Bull Halsey) , 1882-1959, American admiral, b. Elizabeth, N.J., grad. Annapolis, 1904. In World War II he led (Jan., 1942) a spectacular carrier raid against the Marshall Islands and Gilbert Islands, and during the campaign in the Solomon Islands he assumed command of the South Pacific area. As commander (1944-45) of the U.S. 3d Fleet, he commanded the naval action in the Philippines, won the battle of Leyte Gulf (Oct., 1944) and led (July, 1945) the seaborne bombardment of Japan. He was promoted (Nov., 1945) to fleet admiral (five-star admiral) and retired in 1947. His experiences in World War II were published as Admiral Halsey's Story (1947).

Bibliography: See J. M. Merrill, A Sailor's Admiral (1976).

Halsey, William Frederick, Jr. (1882–1959) naval officer, born in Elizabeth, New Jersey. His early interest in naval aviation led to his playing a prominent role in the South Pacific during World War II, particularly in the capture of the Solomon Islands, as commander, South Pacific Force and South Pacific Area (1942). He also led raids against Japanese positions in the Marshall and Gilbert Islands and on Wake Island (1942). He was later criticized for his actions at Leyte Gulf (1944) and elsewhere; heavy losses sometimes resulted from his dogged determination (he was nicknamed “Bull”). Halsey was aboard the Missouri, the flagship of his fleet, when the Japanese surrender was formalized (1945). His World War I service was aboard destroyers; escorting convoys and patrolling for German submarines; his ships never saw combat. Early in his career Halsey was briefly naval attaché in Germany and Scandinavia (1922–24).

During the Battle of Midway (1942), Halsey was hospitalized with a severe skin inflammation, so he missed this decisive turning point in the Pacific. He called his absence from Midway “the most grievous disappointment of my career.”