William Frederick "Bull" Halsey, Jr. - Annapolis, MD - World War II Memorials / Monuments on Waymarking.com

The plaque says, "William Frederick "Bull" Halsey, Jr., better known as "bull" Halsey by the American press, public and his sailors, stood out as one of the most hard-driving, inspirational and successful U.S. naval leaders of World War II. In April 1942, in the wake of the devastating Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor just four months earlier, Vice Admiral Halsey's task force, including the aircraft carrier USS Hornet (CV 8), launched Army Lieutenants Colonel Jimmy Doolittle's B-25 bombers to make the first U.S. air attack on Japan. This bold and risky action significantly boosted American morale in the war's early days. In late 1942, Halsey was promoted to four-star admiral and put in command of U.S. forces in the South Pacific. His fighting spirit and aggressive battle leadership, exemplified by his motto, "hit hard, hit fast, hit often," helped turn the tide against Japanese air, naval and ground forces at Guadalcanal Island.From late 1942 throughout 1943, the admiral oversaw an offensive campaign that defeated enemy forces in the Solomon island chain. Halsey's Third Fleet, established in May 1944, decimated enemy air and naval forces throughout the Western pacific and helped defeat the Imperial Japanese Navy during the Battle of Leyte Gulf in October 1944. In the final months of the war, Halsey's fleet destroyed military targets in the heart of Japan itself. In recognition of Halsey's pivotal role in America's World War II victory in the Pacific, President Harry Truman, with the consent of Congress, promoted him to Fleet Admiral in December 1945, one of only four U.S. naval leaders to be honored with that five-star rank.

Prior to his illustrious leadership during WWII, as a young navy Ensign, Halsey sailed in battleship USS Kanua (BB 21) with the Great White Fleet during its epic around-the-world cruise. As he rose through the ranks, he commanded the torpedo boat USS Du Pont (TB 7) and destroyers USS Flutter (DD 20) and USS Jarvis (DD 38). During WWI, he was awarded the Navy Cross for distinguished patrol and convoy escort performance while in command of two other destroyers. In 1926, Halsey became the executive officer of battleship USS Wyoming (BB 32) and later commanded Destroyer Squadron Three, Scouting Force. In 1934, Captain Halsey reported for flight training at Naval Air Station, Pensacola and at the age of 52 he earned his aviator wings, the oldest person to do so in U.S. naval history. He subsequently took command of aircraft carrier USS Saratoga (CV 3). Promoted to flag rank in 1938, he commanded the fleet's Aircraft Battle Force prior to the outbreak of WWII.

William F. Halsey, Jr. was born on 30 October 1882 in Elizabeth, new Jersey, the son of Captain William F. Halsey, Dr. (USNA 1873( and Anne Masters Brewester Halsey. Appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy, he played fullback on the football team, was president of the Athletic Association, and as a first class midshipman in the class of 1904, he was awarded the Thompson Trophy Cup for doing the most to promote athletics. Halsey returned to the Academy for several shore duty tours which he served as the director of athletics and later commanded the Naval Academy station ship, USS Reina Mercedes (IX 25)."

Property Permission: Private Access instructions: Must obtain a visitors pass from the visitors center during normal business hours Commemoration: William Frederick "Bull" Halsey, Jr. Date of Dedication: Not listed Access times: Not listed Website for Waymark: Not listed Location of waymark: Not listed

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Date Logged Log User Rating   06/26/2023 Tommy_Laura visited it