About this Unit
The Commanding Admiral of the Fifth Fleet during World War II was Admiral Raymond A. Spruance, who led the fleet through some of the most pivotal naval battles in the Pacific Theater. Established in 1944, the Fifth Fleet played a crucial role in operations such as the Battle of the Philippine Sea and the invasion of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. Under Spruance’s command, the fleet became renowned for its operational effectiveness, logistical innovation, and ability to coordinate massive amphibious assaults. The successes of the Fifth Fleet contributed significantly to the defeat of Japanese naval forces and the eventual Allied victory in the Pacific.
Historical Facts
•
Dual Command Leadership: The Fifth Fleet was uniquely commanded by two different admirals—Raymond A. Spruance and William F. Halsey, Jr.—who alternated command with the same staff, ships, and air units, but under different operational numbers (Fifth Fleet under Spruance and Third Fleet under Halsey).
•
Spruance’s Famous Calm: Admiral Raymond Spruance, often called the "Quiet Warrior," led the Fifth Fleet through some of the toughest battles in the Pacific with a calm, analytical approach, earning wide respect for his measured decision-making.
•
The Marianas Turkey Shoot: Under Spruance’s Fifth Fleet, U.S. naval aviators decimated Japanese air power during the Battle of the Philippine Sea in June 1944, shooting down over 300 enemy aircraft in what became known as the "Great Marianas Turkey Shoot."
•
Largest Fleet Assembly: At its peak during the invasion of Okinawa in 1945, the Fifth Fleet was the largest assembled naval force in history, comprising more than 1,300 ships and hundreds of thousands of personnel.
•
Battle of Iwo Jima: The Fifth Fleet provided crucial naval gunfire support, carrier air strikes, and amphibious landing coordination during the iconic and fiercely fought Battle of Iwo Jima in early 1945.
•
Secret Fleet Numbering: The alternation between Third and Fifth Fleet was designed to confuse Japanese intelligence, making it appear as if the U.S. had two massive fleets available for operations.
•
Spruance’s Headquarters: Spruance often directed fleet operations from his flagship, the heavy cruiser USS Indianapolis (CA-35), which later tragically sank after delivering parts for the atomic bomb.
•
Innovative Tactics: The Fifth Fleet pioneered new amphibious assault tactics and fast carrier operations, which became the blueprint for modern naval warfare.
•
Operation Iceberg: The Fifth Fleet played a leading role in Operation Iceberg, the invasion of Okinawa, facing the largest kamikaze attacks of the war and suffering heavy losses, but ultimately securing victory.
•
Legacy of Leadership: Spruance’s command style—deliberate, organized, and focused on minimizing casualties—set a standard for future U.S. Navy leadership, and many historians regard him as one of the best naval commanders of WWII.
