An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

News from around the Fleet

USS Spruance commemorates namesake's role in Battle of Midway's 80th anniversary

06 June 2022

From Ensign Sky Avants

PHILIPPINE SEA – Aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG 111), the Battle of Midway carries special meaning for the 353 “Quiet Warriors” who are forward-deployed with, and sail alongside, the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group.

The ship’s namesake, Adm. Raymond A. Spruance, is regarded as the modest victor at Midway, and received the title “Quiet Warrior” because of his humble and introspective leadership.

The historical battle’s multi-day engagement, spanning a sea-area the size of the contiguous United States, was spearheaded by Adm. Spruance, and its lessons and inspiration are keenly felt aboard. Spruance’s Officers, Chiefs, and Sailors assembled in a “sea of white” for a ceremony commemorating the pivotal Pacific battle that took place less than 1,000 miles from where the strike group sails as part of its regularly-scheduled deployment to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility in the Western Pacific.

Eighty years ago on June 4, 1942, Adm. Spruance commanded Task Force 16, comprised of the most decorated aircraft carrier in naval history, USS Enterprise (CV 6). Once within range of the advancing Japanese fleet, he capitalized on the element of surprise to launch a decisive attack near the island of Midway.

Acting on a Japanese navy intelligence message, intercepted by U.S. Navy cryptographers and deciphered in Hawaii, Adm. Spruance uttered this phrase, which unleashed a heretofore unseen brand of naval warfare: “Launch the Attack!” These three words incited the planned ambush and repeated waves of torpedo bombers descending upon the Japanese fleet. When the smoke cleared, the American Navy sank four Japanese aircraft carriers and one heavy cruiser, altering the course of World War II. Spruance’s order is now the destroyer’s motto.

To honor the legacy of the destroyer’s namesake and the battle that change the course of war in the Pacific, Commanding Officer Cmdr. Douglas Robb and Command Master Chief Richard Meek laid a wreath into the ship’s wake during a 21-gun salute. In addition to the commemoration ceremony, which was presided by Executive Officer Cmdr. Christopher Ivey, USS Spruance celebrated the naval accomplishments of the crew in an all-hands recognition ceremony that included awarding Naval Achievement Medals, warfare qualification devices, and enlisted and officer promotions.

“As we commemorate the battle, we are right to wonder if, one day, we may find ourselves in a moment or a place like Midway,” Robb told the assembled crew. “Only time will tell. But if we do, we need only to look to those days when, 80 years ago, Americans from all 50 States and all walks of life teamed together to repel an overpowering naval force. In the process, they preserved the cause of liberty and changed the course of history. We are stronger because of their courageous service. We are lucky to be forever linked to the commander, Adm. Spruance, and we are privileged to be stewards of his legacy and the ship that bears his name.”

Spruance is on a regularly-scheduled deployment in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability through alliances and partnerships while serving as a ready-response force in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region with Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group.

 

Google Translation Disclaimer

  • Google Translate, a third party service provided by Google, performs all translations directly and dynamically.
  • Commander, U.S. Navy Region Korea, cnrk.cnic.navy.mil has no control over the features, functions, or performance of the Google Translate service.
  • The automated translations should not be considered exact and should be used only as an approximation of the original English language content.
  • This service is meant solely for the assistance of limited English-speaking users of the website.
  • Commander, U.S. Navy Region Korea, cnrk.cnic.navy.mil does not warrant the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of any information translated.
  • Some items cannot be translated, including but not limited to image buttons, drop down menus, graphics, photos, or portable document formats (pdfs).
  • Commander, U.S. Navy Region Korea, cnrk.cnic.navy.mil does not directly endorse Google Translate or imply that it is the only language translation solution available to users.
  • All site visitors may choose to use similar tools for their translation needs. Any individuals or parties that use Commander, U.S. Navy Region Korea, cnrk.cnic.navy.mil content in translated form, whether by Google Translate or by any other translation services, do so at their own risk.
  • IE users: Please note that Google Translate may not render correctly when using Internet Explorer. Users are advised to use MS Edge, Safari, Chrome, or Firefox browser to take full advantage of the Google Translate feature.
  • The official text of content on this site is the English version found on this website. If any questions arise related to the accuracy of the information contained in translated text, refer to the English version on this website, it is the official version.

Commander, U.S. Navy Region Korea   |   PSC 478 Box 1   |   FPO AP, 96212-0001
Official U.S. Navy Website