NationStates Jolt Archive

Of the choices listed, which is the greatest American naval commander? If there's one left out, give the name and why.

This is not intended to be a bash session for any country's admirals or naval history, and this is going to be very subjective.

I picked Dewey because he led his fleet to one of the more overwhelming naval victories at the Battle of Manila over the Spanish. It was the shot that announced the U.S. as a world power.

I could also have chosen Commodore Thomas Truxtun since he implemented many of the USN's traditions (granted, many of those he imported from the Royal Navy) that are still in effect today. Also, he seized a French frigate in the first naval victory by an American naval captain after the U.S. won its independence. Under his command, the Constellation battered a larger, more powerful frigate (La Vengeance) to the point where it surrendered twice, but he didn't see the signals in the dark and Vengeance escaped.

The man who just missed being included here was Commodore Isaac Hull of Old Ironsides fame. He kedged and rowed the Constitution to an escape of a British squadron and decimated the HMS Guerriere in a swift battle that began the head-scratching amongst the British.

Are this people widely known in the US? Because I have no clue of any naval commanders except Nelson. :p

Some of them are, yes.

And BUMP!

Whichever one said, "You may fire when you are ready," to start a one-sided win in the Spanish-American War

Are this people widely known in the US? Because I have no clue of any naval commanders except Nelson. :p


Oliver Hazard Perry said "We have met the enemy and they are ours."

So he gets my vote.

Lord Nelson is still the greatest naval officer of all time.

I pay homage to him when i go to London.

Of the choices listed, which is the greatest American naval commander? If there's one left out, give the name and why.

This is not intended to be a bash session for any country's admirals or naval history, and this is going to be very subjective.
Fleet Admiral Frederick Halsey, Jr.

Halsey, also

I agree. Bull Halsey gets my vote. Just for being willing to stick his neck out, even when it got him into trouble on occasion.

Of those listed I have to go with Nimitz right now. All of them had their good points and their bad points (Nimitz was once courtmartialed for hazarding a navy ship), but Nimitz was the best commander overall. The only real question is that although he shone as commander of the Navy, was he really a naval commander at the time? In terms of being a naval commander as opposed to a navy commander I go with Perry.

Fleet Admiral Frederick Halsey, Jr.

Dang, ya beat me to it.

People are always praising Nimitz, and while he was certainly an effective strategic commander, it was Raymond A. Spruance who actully commanded the fleet and won the Battle of Midway. He eventually was given command of the Fifth Fleet and he directed the campaigns that captured the Gilberts, Marshalls, Marianas, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. He also commanded the fleet during the Battle of the Phillipine Sea, another naval victory.

Thus, Spruance gets my vote

People are always praising Nimitz, and while he was certainly an effective strategic commander, it was Raymond A. Spruance who actully commanded the fleet and won the Battle of Midway. He eventually was given command of the Fifth Fleet and he directed the campaigns that captured the Gilberts, Marshalls, Marianas, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. He also commanded the fleet during the Battle of the Phillipine Sea, another naval victory.

Thus, Spruance gets my vote

He was my second choice. :)

I'd have to say Admiral Halesy from WWII.

The New Zealander who went to America aaround 1890ish he was Americas greatest!

bump

You forgot R.Adm. C.A.F. Sprague.

Admiral Raymond Spruance.

Reason?

Battle of Midway.

Admiral Raymond Spruance.

Reason?

Battle of Midway.

Yah, but sprague turned the jap offensive. He was cool.

Yah, but sprague turned the jap offensive. He was cool.


I think other naval commanders of the day were recognized not for thier number of victories, or continued brilliant strategies, like Spruance, but more for thier personalites like Halsey, or even Sprague.

Spruance was a quiet man, and very very business like, and as such, not particularly memorable.

"When youve done a good job, no one will ever know youve done anything at all."

I think other naval commanders of the day were recognized not for thier number of victories, or continued brilliant strategies, like Spruance, but more for thier personalites like Halsey, or even Sprague.

Spruance was a quiet man, and very very business like, and as such, not particularly memorable.

"When youve done a good job, no one will ever know youve done anything at all."

Aww, c'mon. Sprague saved leyte after halsey had fucked the whole thing up. It was a brilliant feat of arms. He made kurita turn north.

Aww, c'mon. Sprague saved leyte after halsey had fucked the whole thing up. It was a brilliant feat of arms. He made kurita turn north.


Oh yeah, dont get me wrong the guy was brilliant, Im not taking anything away from him, I just think the quiet steadfast, competency of Spruance says something about him.

Oh yeah, dont get me wrong the guy was brilliant, Im not taking anything away from him, I just think the quiet steadfast, competency of Spruance says something about him.

True that. Spruance should be up there on the poll too.