William Frederick Halsey Jr.

William Frederick "Bull" Halsey Jr. was a distinguished American naval officer who reached the five-star rank of Fleet Admiral during World War II. Graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1904, his early career was spent primarily on battleships and destroyers. He commanded destroyers during World War I, earning recognition for his skill and leadership. In a pivotal career move in the 1930s, Halsey, already a captain, undertook flight training at the age of 52 to become a naval aviator, recognizing the growing importance of naval aviation. This qualification allowed him to command the aircraft carrier USS Saratoga and later, Carrier Division 2.

At the outbreak of World War II in the Pacific, Halsey was a vice admiral commanding a carrier task force. He led a series of aggressive raids against Japanese-held islands in early 1942, boosting American morale. His task force also launched the famed Doolittle Raid on Tokyo. Due to a severe skin condition, he missed the pivotal Battle of Midway but was soon appointed Commander, South Pacific Area. In this role, he provided crucial strategic command during the Guadalcanal Campaign, where his aggressive motto, "Hit hard, hit fast, hit often," galvanized Allied forces and was instrumental in securing the hard-fought victory.

Later in the war, Halsey assumed command of the U.S. Third Fleet. He led this powerful force through major campaigns, including the reconquest of the Philippines. His command during the Battle of Leyte Gulf remains a subject of historical debate, particularly his decision to pursue a Japanese decoy carrier force, which left American landing forces vulnerable during the Battle off Samar. Despite this controversy and another involving sailing the fleet through two powerful typhoons, his reputation as a fighting admiral endured. He was present on the USS Missouri for the Japanese surrender ceremony in Tokyo Bay. In December 1945, in recognition of his immense contributions to victory, he was promoted to Fleet Admiral, one of only four officers in U.S. Navy history to hold the rank.