Admiral William W. Smith
About the Artifacts:
Named wartime Rear Admiral unifirm to W.W. Smith updated by Smith throught the war from commander to rear admiral. Also in the group are his hat, and two dress uniforms.
A Bit Of History About Admiral Smith
Ordered to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, for a new assignment W.W. Smith became chief of staff and aide to the Commander-in-Chief, Pacific Fleet Admiral Husband Kimmel and served in this capacity at the time of the surprise Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Unlike Admiral Kimmel, Smith survived personnel changes following the attack and continued under new Pacific Fleet commander, Admiral Chester Nimitz as his Administrative Chief of Staff. He remained in that assignment until January 8, 1942, when he was promoted to the rank of rear admiral and assumed duty as Commander, Cruiser Task Force Eleven.
Smith commanded his ships as the cruiser escort for Task Force 17 centered around aircraft carrier Yorktown and took part in the battles of the Coral Sea in May 1942 and Midway in June of that year. The units under his command caused the infliction of heavy damage on attacking Japanese air forces with ultimate success for U.S. forces in these distinctive engagements. For his leadership during that battles, Smith was decorated with Navy Distinguished Service Medal.
THE WAR LEADERS COLLECTION
Admiral Robert Ghormley
Details Of The Artifact
Custom blue service coat made by Gieves Ltd. 21 Old Bond St. London ,named to Ghormley and dated October 1940. Ghormley served as Naval observer in London from !940-1942.
A Bit About Admiral Ghormley
When looking at the leaders of World War Two it becomes evident just as in life, some men are meant to lead in the field, some are meant to plan, organize, or to act in all manners of diplomacy. Not all men were equipped to do all things. Admiral Robert Ghormley showed his ability as a diplomate and planner but was not successful in his ability to lead in the field.
Ghormley had been a flag officer for four years, his posting as Commander, Naval Forces, Europe was his first operational command and he was in his element working with the British. Ghormley’s success in this posting lead to Roosevelt personally demanding that Ghormley be given command of the South Pacific Area. This was an unfortunate appointment.
Ghormley’s leadership in the South Pacific was uninspiring. He never really believed in the Guadalcanal operation and recommended its postponement. Though both Admiral Nimitz and Admiral King expected him to direct the operation personally, he chose to exercise general command from his headquarters at Noumea. Although Nimitz personally visited Guadalcanal in late September 1942, Ghormley never set foot on the island. Nimitz was reluctant to relieve his old friend, but concluded on 15 October 1942 that Ghormley was "too immersed in detail and not sufficiently bold and aggressive at the right time”.
Ghormley did serve in the critical early stages of the Guadalcanal campaign, though it was not a complete success it was America’s first entry in the war. This event gave rise to the need for aggressive leaders…Ghormley was relieved the field by Admiral Halsey who went on to be one of the legendary names of WWII.
Recognizing the strength of Admiral Ghormley, he was appointed Commandant of the 14th Naval District in Hawaii, then In December 1944, Vice Admiral Ghormley became Commander, U.S. Naval Forces, Germany, and served in that position until December 1945.