(Off topic, it may be interesting to note that Presidents Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Ford and George H. W. Bush all served as naval officers in the Pacific during World War II. Must have been something in the water.)
There was a second severe typhoon on June 2-3, 1945, east of Okinawa. No ships were lost but many were damaged and six men were swept overboard from various vessels. Many airplanes were destroyed or damaged aboard carriers.
Admiral William Halsey was in overall command of the ships involved in both typhoons. Navy courts of inquiry found Halsey responsible for the losses in both typhoons due to poor judgment and recommended he be relieved of command. Both times Admiral Chester Nimitz, Halsey's superior, rejected the recommendations and kept Halsey as commander of the Third Fleet.
Ron Carlson, Webmaster
Responses
« Back to index | View thread »