Born William Frederick Halsey in Elizabeth, NJ, Oct. 30, 1882, he graduated from the US Naval Academy at Annapolis in 1904. He served as a destroyer commander during World War I, but became a "carrier man" between the Wars.
Known for his tenacity and swift decisive actions, he led many successful campaigns in the Pacific theater during World War II. In 1942, Halsey successfully directed naval operations during the Solomon Islands campaign. Returning to Pearl Harbor after the Battle of the Coral Sea, he was hospitalized with a skin rash. On HalseyÆs recommendation, Admiral Chester Nimitz (Commander of the US Pacific Fleet) turned over command of HalseyÆs carrier battle group to Admiral Raymond Spruance even though Spruance had never commanded a carrier battle group. Halsey was in the hospital when the Miracle at Midway took place on June 6, 1942.
Halsey assumed command of the South Pacific area in October. 1942. In 1944 he took command of the US Third Fleet, which supported the Allied invasion of the Philippines and defeated (October 1944) the Japanese fleet in the Battle of Leyte Gulf. Halsey was made fleet (five-star) admiral late in 1945. He died August. 16, 1959.
