Halsey (CG 23) - Naval Cruise Book

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THE COMMANDING OFFICER UNITED STATES SHIP HALSEY (CG - 23) The established record of accomplishment by a combatant ship depends largely upon two factors. The first is the individual effort of each man in his own particular field or speciality. The second is the capability of all men assigned to function well together in a team effort to effect maximum efficiency of the ship and its installed systems. HALSEYMEN, during the cruise depicted in this book, have performed most admirably in both areas. The ship ' s record attests to that. I have been personally pleased and profes- sionally proud to serve with what I consider the finest ship ' s crew ever. Of vital importance to men at sea is the support they must have from families and friends in terms of love, affection and understanding. We in HALSEY have received this support to the fullest. It is to these fine men — these HALSEYMEN — that this book is dedicated as a testament that service to one ' s country can be performed with pride and a sense of important accom- plishment. My sincere WELL DONE for a record of achievement second to none. S. J. HOSTETTLER Captain, U. S. Navy

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AND NOW THE OLD SHIPS AND THEIR MEN ARE GONE; THE NEW SHIPS AND THE NEW MEN, MANY OF THEM BEARING THE OLD AUSPICIOUS NAMES, HAVE TAKEN UP THEIR WATCH ON THE STERN AND IMPARTIAL SEA. WHICH OFFERS NO OPPORTUNITIES BUT TO THOSE WHO KNOW HOW TO GRASP THEM WITH A READY HAND AND UNDAUNTED HEART. JOSEPH CONRAD, 1857-1924

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FLEET ADMIRAL WILLIAM HALSEY, JR., U. S. NAVY Fleet Admiral Halsey was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey, 30 October 1882, the son of Captain William F. Halsey, U. S. Navy, and Anne Brewster Halsey. He was appointed to the U. S. Naval Academy in 1900 and graduated in February 1904. After graduation. Admiral Halsey served in many capacities ranging from Naval Attache to Ship Commands. Much of his early career during and subsequent to World War I was devoted to commanding destroyers. In 1935 at the age of 52 he won his wings and was designated a Naval Aviator. The succeeding years brought to the forefront his time-tested command abilities and saw Admiral Halsey commanding first the USS SARATOGA and later the South Pacific Force and South Pacific Area where he doggedly set about and succeeded in routing enemy forces from Guadalcanal and the Solomon Islands. In June 1944, Admiral Halsey assumed command of the Third Fleet and was designated Commander of the Western Pacific Task Force. Beginning in August 1944, his forces left a trail of enemy ruin and destruction in Palaus, Philippines, Formosa, Okinawa and the South China Sea and decisively defeated enemy sea and air force operations in the Western Carolines and the Philippine Islands. In the final phases of the war in the Pacific, Admiral Halsey ' s Third Fleet participated in the Okinawa Campaign, and later his Fast Carrier Task Forces proceeded northward and struck at Tokyo in July 1945. On August 29, 1945, Admiral Halsey, flying his flag in the USS MISSOURI, entered Tokyo Bay. The following day. General of the Army Douglas McArthur arrived in Yokohama and on September 1, 1945 aboard the USS MISSOURI, the formal surrender of the Japanese Imperial Government was signed. In November 1945 Admiral Halsey relinguished Command of the Third Fleet which had exemplified his slogan Hit hard, hit fast, hit often. Fleet Admiral Halsey retired from active duty in December 1946. Admiral Halsey died in 1959 and was buried with full military honors on 20 August in Arlington National Cemetery.