Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-08-17

leathery-faced sea dog fought
is o record. in large part. Of
the sea and air victory. over
Japan IN World War II.
First as Commander. South
Pacific. and later as comman-
der Of the mighty. free-ranging
Third Fleet, he swept the jap
anese Navy from the Pacific.
blasting the way for the amphi-
bious landings Of the Marines
and Army assault troops from
the Solomons to Okinawa.
At the wars end Bun Hal
sey's fast carriers and bonn
bardment ships were roaming
unchallenged In Japanese home
waters, rocking Tokyo. Yoko-
hama and other large cities
with devastating blows. The
tireless commander only be-
moaned the fact that his fleet
didn't have wheels so he could
chase the enemy all over Hon
shu and Hokkaido.
Admiral Halsey was not only
the scourge and nemesis Of the
Japanese because Of his shat
tering sea and air attacks. He
waged his own private war Of
nerves against his foes. His
explosives were as famous as
his exploits. He never let the
opportunity 60 by for loosing a
barrage Of ridicule and con-
tempt or for threatening new
and harder strikes.
Feared by Enemy
To him, the Japanese were
monkeys" rats" and stupid
beasts" Early in 1915, he was
asked how the enemy navy
could be forced into q show
down.
II can't get myself into a
rats frame Of mind" he
snarled. II don't know what 1t
would take"
Undoubtedly, his repeated
victories at sea and his sharp.
rafting tongue made him one
OF the most feared and hated
Of all the American command
ers. so far as the enemy was
concerned.
The Halsey battle cry and
formula for victory was one Of
pure violence: kill Japs, kill
Japs and kill more Japs; sink
ships. sink ships and sink more
ships"
The Admiral was successful
IN implementing his formula.
When he relinquished his
South Pacific command in
June. 1914, he told q press con-
ference the Japanese had lost
in that area 10000 men, 1890
planes and $50 many ships !
cannot count them"
Later the Third Fleet COM
mander announced that in a
six-week period beginning on
July 10. 1945. his forces had de-
stroyed or damaged 1904 en-
envy planes. sank or damaged
148 combat ships and 1888
merchant vessels. in addition
to landing heavy blows on
industrial targets.
Saved American Lives
But this man Of violence and
valor could think in terms Of
strategy that would leave Jap
anese garrisons on by-passed
Islands to wither on the vine
and thus save American man
power.
President Roosevelt credited
him with the suggestion that
brought about q last-minute
change In the timetable for the
invasion. Of the Philippines.
The admiral argued that, rather
than first assault the enemy
strongholds on Yap and the
Palaus, q direct attack be made
at Leyte in October. 1874. He
said 1t would be feasible. Gen.
Douglas Macarthur and Adj
miral Chester w. Nimitz, Pa
|cific Fleet commander, were
convinced and so were the
Joint Chiefs Of Stad and the
President.
Several months later, Mr.
Roosevelt said the change In
plans saved lives which would
have been expended In the
capture Of the islands which
are now neutralized far be-
hind our lines"
Ironically, the 1914 Battle OF
the Philippine Sea, perhaps
the last great hattie hetweer
navies and one which flowed
from the Leyte invasion, re-
suited in the only suggestion OF
q tarnish on the brilliant
Halsey record.
Philippine Sea Trouble
In an action called 1.-THE
Battle of Bulls Run" by his
critics, the much-decorated