Halsey, William Frederick, 1882-1959

William Frederick Halsey Jr. (October 30, 1882 – August 16, 1959) was a fleet admiral in the United States Navy during World War II. He was called "Bill" by his family and friends and nicknamed "Bull" by the press. He is one of four individuals to have attained the rank of fleet admiral of the United States Navy, the others being Ernest King, William Leahy, and Chester W. Nimitz.

Born in Elizabeth, New Jersey, Halsey graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1904. He served in the Great White Fleet and, during World War I, commanded the destroyer USS Shaw. He took command of the aircraft carrier USS Saratoga in 1935 after completing a course in naval aviation, and was promoted to the rank of rear admiral in 1938. At the start of the War in the Pacific (1941–1945), Halsey commanded the task force centered on the carrier USS Enterprise in a series of raids against Japanese-held targets.

Presidential Unit Citation - USS Enterprise: "For consistently outstanding performance and distinguished achievements during repeated action against enemy Japanese forces in the Pacific war area, December 7, 1941, to November 15, 1942. Participating in nearly every major carrier engagement in the first year of the war, the Enterprise and her Air Group, exclusive of her far-flung destruction of hostile shore installations throughout the battle area, did sink or damage, on her own a total of 35 Japanese vessels and shoot down a total of 185 Japanese aircraft. Her aggressive spirit and superb combat efficiency are fitting tribute to the officers and men who so gallantly established her as an ahead bulwark in defense of the American Nation."

Halsey was made commander of the South Pacific Area, and led the Allied forces over the course of the Battle for Guadalcanal (1942–1943) and the fighting up the Solomon chain (1942–1945). In 1943 he was made commander of the Third Fleet, the post he held through the rest of the war. He took part in the Battle of Leyte Gulf, the largest naval battle of the Second World War and, by some criteria, the largest naval battle in history. He was promoted to fleet admiral in December 1945 and retired from active service in March 1947.

After his retirement, Halsey joined the boards of two subsidiaries of the International Telephone and Telegraphy Company, resigning both posts in October 1957. He was a staunch campaigner for the preservation of the carrier Enterprise as a national shrine.

Fleet Admiral Halsey died on August 16, 1959, at Fishers Island Country Club (off the Connecticut shore) and was buried with full military honors on August 20, in Arlington National Cemetery, Washington, DC. He was survived by his wife, and 2 children.

In addition to the Navy Cross, the Distinguished Service Medal with three Gold Stars, the Army Distinguished Service Medal, and the Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon, Fleet Admiral Halsey had the Mexican Service Medal; Victory Medal, Destroyer Clasp; American Defense Service Medal, Fleet Clasp; Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal; World War II Victory Medal, and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon. He also was awarded the Gold Cross of the Chevalier of the Order of the Savior, by the Government of Greece; the Insignia, Al Merito, First Class, and Diploma, by the Government of Chile; and was made an Honorary Knight Commander of the British Empire by the Government of Great Britain. On his goodwill tour to South America in 1946 he was awarded the Order of Naval Merit from Cuba; the Order of the Liberator from Venezuela; the Order of Ayacucho from Peru; and Chile's Grand Cross of the Legion of Merit. Ecuador awarded him her highest medal of Abdon Calderon, Colombia and Panama, the Grand Crosses of Boyaca and Balboa, while Guatemala made him a Supreme Chief in the Order of the Quetzal, and he received the Order of the Southern Cross (Grand Cross) from the Government of Brazil.