Misplaced Pages

#33966

59-553: Task Force 38 (TF 38) had been operating about 300  mi (260  nmi ; 480  km ) east of Luzon in the Philippine Sea , conducting air raids against Japanese airfields in the Philippines and had been trying to refuel their ships. Information given to Halsey about the typhoon was incorrect, and despite warning signs of worsening conditions, the ships remained on station until December 17 when Halsey ordered

118-419: A captain in infantry companies and often also in cavalry squadrons), although again the rank of the appointment holder and the holder's appointment are separate and independent of each other. In some cases, independent units smaller than a sub-unit (e.g. a military police platoon that reports directly to a formation such as a brigade) will also have an OC appointed. In these cases, the officer commanding can be

177-411: A company , usually a captain , is referred to as the company commander (or the battery /troop commander for artillery / cavalry ) units. The commanding officer of a battalion (or squadron of cavalry/armored cavalry ) is usually a lieutenant colonel . The commanding officer of a brigade , a colonel , is the brigade commander . At the division level and higher, however, the commanding officer

236-596: A platoon , the smallest tactical unit of Marines usually led by a commissioned officer , typically a first or second lieutenant , is referred to as the platoon commander . This distinction in title also applies to officers who are aircraft commanders, as well as officers, staff non-commissioned officers (staff sergeant – master sergeant), and non-commissioned officers (corporal and sergeant) who are tank and armored vehicle commanders. While these officers, SNCOs, and NCOs have tactical and operational command (including full authority, responsibility, and accountability—especially in

295-526: A regiment , aviation group , or Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) is a colonel . At the Marine Expeditionary Brigade (MEB), Marine Logistics Group (MLG), Marine Division (MARDIV), Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF), and Fleet Marine Force (FMF) levels; however, the commanding officer is referred to as the commanding general , as these officers hold general officer rank. The officer in charge of

354-617: A 51-hour search, despite repeated orders from Halsey to return all ships to port in Ulithi . She picked up 41 men from Hull and 14 from Spence before finally returning to Ulithi after being directly relieved from the search by two destroyer escorts. After the fleet had regrouped (without Tabberer ), ships and aircraft conducted search-and-rescue missions. The destroyer Brown rescued the only survivors from Monaghan , six in total. She additionally rescued 13 sailors from Hull . Eighteen other survivors from Hull and Spence were rescued over

413-683: A captain or even a lieutenant. Appointments such as CO and OC may have specific powers associated with them. For example, they may have statutory powers to promote soldiers or to deal with certain disciplinary offences and award certain punishments. The CO of a unit may have the power to sentence an offender to 28 days' detention, whereas the OC of a sub-unit may have the power to sentence an offender to 3 days' restriction of privileges. Commanders of units smaller than sub-units (e.g. platoons , troops and sections ) are not specific appointments and officers or NCOs who fill those positions are simply referred to as

472-456: A commanding officer. The officer in command of a minor unit holds the appointment of " officer commanding " (OC). Higher formations have a commander (usual for a brigade) or a general officer commanding (GOC). Area commands have a commander-in-chief (e.g. C-in-C Land Army, C-in-C British Army of the Rhine). The OC of a sub-unit or minor unit is today customarily a major (although formerly usually

531-417: A commissioned officer is present; normally they serve as executive officer ( 2IC ). The commanding officer of a company , usually a captain , is referred to as the company commander or the battery commander (for field artillery and low altitude air defense units ). The commanding officer of a battalion or a squadron ( Marine aviation ), is usually a lieutenant colonel . The commanding officer of

590-508: A fast-carrier task force is four carriers, six to eight support vessels and not less than 18 destroyers, preferably 24. More than four carriers in a task group cannot be advantageously used due to the amount of air room required. Less than four carriers requires an uneconomical use of support ships and screening vessels." The ships of each task group sailed in a circle formation centered on the carriers. The supporting ships sailed relatively close by, and added their anti-aircraft fire to that of

649-593: A major operation was underway the task force would concentrate all four groups together. Each group would remain distinct but operate in close proximity to the other groups to provide the task force with maximum protection and maximum striking power. The Fast Carrier Task Force worked in conjunction with the other two major components of the Pacific Fleet: the Amphibious Force, which was much larger overall and which carried and provided direct support to

SECTION 10

#1732790352034

708-407: A maximum roll of 39 degrees to port when hove-to with wind abeam. Her port catwalks scooped up green water, but she lost only three planes which were jettisoned from the flight deck; it took one hour to get them over the side. Three other escort carriers lost in all 86 aircraft but came through without much material damage." In the words of Admiral Chester Nimitz , the typhoon's impact "...represented

767-516: A more crippling blow to the Third Fleet than it might be expected to suffer in anything less than a major action." The events surrounding Typhoon Cobra were similar to those the Japanese navy faced some nine years earlier in what they termed the " Fourth Fleet Incident ". The fleet was scattered by the storm. One ship, the destroyer escort Tabberer , encountered and rescued a survivor from

826-408: A ship, submarine or other vessel is addressed by naval custom as 'captain' while aboard in command, regardless of their actual rank." They may be informally referred to as "Skipper", though allowing or forbidding the use of this form of address is the commanding officer's prerogative. A prospective commanding officer (PCO) is a U.S. Navy officer who has been selected for his/her own command. The term

885-534: Is generally a key aspect of promotion, so the role of commanding officer is highly valued. The commanding officer is often assisted by an executive officer (XO) or second-in-command (2i/c), who handles personnel and day-to-day matters, and a senior enlisted advisor . Larger units may also have staff officers responsible for various responsibilities. In the British Army , Royal Marines , and many other Commonwealth military and paramilitary organisations,

944-407: Is referred to as the commanding general , as these officers hold general officer rank. Although holding a leadership position in the same sense as commanders, the individual in charge of a platoon , the smallest unit of soldiers led by a commissioned officer , is referred to as the " platoon leader ", not the "platoon commander". This officer, typically a second lieutenant , does have command of

1003-482: Is used in correspondence or in reference to the officer before they assume command of the unit (ship, squadron, unit, etc.). If the sailor in command of a unit is an enlisted member, rather than a commissioned or warrant officer , he or she is referred to as the "officer in charge" rather than "commanding officer". In the Coast Guard it is common for smaller cutters to be commanded by a chief petty officer . In

1062-588: The Battle of Iwo Jima in early 1945, the Task Force included eighteen aircraft carriers, eight battleships and two Alaska -class large cruisers , along with numerous cruisers and destroyers. TF 58 alone commanded more firepower than any navy in history. The original TF 38 came into existence in August 1943, built around USS  Saratoga , and under the command of Rear Admiral Frederick C. Sherman . TF 58

1121-461: The Hull in the midst of the typhoon. This was the first survivor from any of the capsized destroyers to be picked up. Shortly thereafter, many more survivors were picked up, in groups or in isolation. Tabberer ' s skipper, Lieutenant Commander Henry Lee Plage , directed that the ship, despite its own dire condition, begin boxed searches to look for more survivors. Tabberer rescued 55 survivors in

1180-573: The Royal Navy and many others, commanding officer is the official title of the commander of any ship, unit or installation. However, they are referred to as "the captain" no matter what their actual rank, or informally as "skipper" or even "boss". In the United States , the status of commanding officer is duly applied to all commissioned officers who hold lawful command over a military unit, ship, or installation. The commanding officer of

1239-598: The Southwest Pacific theater was during the double landings at Hollandia and Aitape in April 1944, hundreds of miles behind Japanese enemy lines and far beyond the range of short-ranged P-40 fighters of the Allied Air Forces . TF 58 and escort carriers in Task Force 78 supported the landings. TF 58 only stayed for four days but contributed much crucial air support to one of the greatest successes in

SECTION 20

#1732790352034

1298-460: The Third Fleet into the center of the typhoon. With currently available data, it was the 23rd and last known Western Pacific tropical cyclone formed during the 1944 season . On December 17, 1944, the typhoon was first observed when United States Third Fleet was refueling. U.S. Army Air Force forecast center on Saipan sent a reconnaissance flight and found the storm heading towards

1357-490: The use of force , finances, equipment, the Geneva Conventions ), duties (to higher authority, mission effectiveness, duty of care to personnel), and powers (for example, discipline and punishment of personnel within certain limits of military law). In some countries, commanding officers may be of any commissioned rank. Usually, there are more officers than command positions available, and time spent in command

1416-519: The Deck, was ordered to go below to assess the raging fire. He did so safely and reported his findings back to the ship's commanding officer, Captain Stuart Ingersoll . The ship's crew was able to contain the fire, and the ship got underway again. Planes went adrift, collided, and burst into flames. Monterey caught fire at 0911 (18 December) and lost steerageway a few minutes later. The fire

1475-520: The Fast Carrier Task Force. The force grew to nine CVs and eight CVLs in preparation for the landings on Leyte . Task Force 38 was composed of four task groups: Task Group 38.1 was commanded by Admiral McCain, with its previous commander, Admiral Joseph "Jocko" Clark , remaining on as advisor, Task Group 38.2 was under the command of Admiral Gerald Bogan , Task Group 38.3 was led by Admiral Frederick Sherman , and Task Group 38.4

1534-601: The Marine forces, and the Service Squadrons of hundreds of support vessels which resupplied and maintained the fleet. The fleet and task group designation changed when the command of the fleet changed hands. When under the umbrella of Fifth Fleet, the invasion force was called the Fifth Amphibious Force. When Halsey had command of the fleet, Third Amphibious Force was the designation. By the time of

1593-559: The Pacific War. With command change from Spruance to Halsey on 26 August 1944, all units changed designations again. Mitscher, who was an aviator from early training and had a masterful command of the airgroups, requested that he retain command of the Fast Carrier Task Force until his replacement, Admiral John McCain , could have proper time to become more familiar with the handling of a carrier task force. King and Nimitz concurred. Admiral Halsey, like Spruance before him, sailed with

1652-578: The Philippines, and ships were being refueled, especially many destroyers, which were running low on fuel. When the storm hit, the procedure had to be aborted. Damage to the fleet was severe. Some ships rolled more than 70 degrees. Three destroyers, Spence , Hickox , and Maddox , had nearly empty fuel stores (10–15% of capacity) and so lacked the stabilizing effect of the extra weight, making them relatively unstable. Additionally, several other destroyers, including Hull and Monaghan , were of

1711-596: The U.S. Navy to establish weather monitoring infrastructure, which eventually became the Joint Typhoon Warning Center . The typhoon plays a central part in Herman Wouk 's The Caine Mutiny . 16°18′22″N 128°27′11″E  /  16.306°N 128.453°E  / 16.306; 128.453 Fast Carrier Task Force The Fast Carrier Task Force ( TF 38 when assigned to Third Fleet , TF 58 when assigned to Fifth Fleet )

1770-511: The battleship USS  New Mexico which was also hit on 12 May). On 11 May, Mitscher and his chief of staff Commodore Arleigh Burke were merely yards away from getting killed or wounded by kamikazes on his flagship, USS  Bunker Hill , which killed three of Mitscher's staff officers and eleven of his enlisted staff members and also destroyed his flag cabin along with all of his uniforms, personal papers, and possessions. Just three days later Mitscher's new flagship, USS  Enterprise ,

1829-492: The carriers to help ward off attacking aircraft. When under attack by torpedo aircraft, the task group would turn toward the oncoming aircraft to limit attack angles. Other than this measure, the carriers in the task group would not take evasive action from their attackers. This was in marked contrast with the Imperial Japanese Navy, but the choice made for more stable platforms for the anti-aircraft fire of all

Typhoon Cobra - Misplaced Pages Continue

1888-664: The case of aircraft commanders) of the Marines and equipment in their charge, they are not accorded the legal authority of a "commanding officer" under the UCMJ or military regulations. In the United States Navy and United States Coast Guard , commanding officer is the official title of the commander of a ship, but they are usually referred to as " the Captain " regardless of their actual rank: "Any naval officer who commands

1947-537: The case of aircraft commanders) of the soldiers and equipment in their charge, they are not accorded the legal authority of a "commanding officer" under the UCMJ or military regulations. Warrant officers in the United States Armed Forces are single career-track officers that can, and occasionally do, hold command positions within certain specialty units, i.e. Special Forces and Army Aviation . However, warrant officers usually do not command if

2006-555: The commander or leader (e.g. platoon commander, troop leader, section commander/leader, etc.). In the Royal Air Force , the title of commanding officer is reserved for station commanders or commanders of independent units, including flying squadrons. As with the British Army, the post of a commander of a lesser unit such as an administrative wing , squadron or flight is referred to as the officer commanding (OC). In

2065-467: The commanding officer of a unit is appointed. Thus the office of CO is an appointment. The appointment of commanding officer is exclusive to commanders of major units ( regiments , battalions and similar sized units). It is customary for a commanding officer to hold the rank of lieutenant colonel , and they are usually referred to within the unit simply as "the colonel" or the CO. "The colonel" may also refer to

2124-506: The designation Task Force (TF) 58. When led by Admiral Halsey as part of the Third Fleet , the carrier force was commanded by Vice Admiral John S. McCain Sr. and its designation was Task Force (TF) 38. Planning for upcoming operations was completed when each admiral and his staff rotated out of active command. This allowed the Navy to perform at a higher operational tempo, while giving the Japanese

2183-409: The end of April, Admiral Nimitz came out to review the situation. After two months operating off the coast of Okinawa in support of Army forces engaged in battle on the island, the command staff was exhausted from the continuous pressure of fending off kamikaze attacks. On his return to Pearl Harbor, he notified Halsey that he would have to take over command from Spruance in thirty days, whether or not

2242-463: The fire was brought under control promptly; Langley rolled through 70 degrees; San Jacinto reported a fighter plane adrift on the hangar deck which wrecked seven other aircraft. She also suffered damage from salt water that entered through punctures in the ventilating ducts. Captain [Jasper T.] Acuff's replenishment escort carriers did pretty well. Flames broke out on the flight deck of Cape Esperance at 1228 but were overcome; Kwajalein made

2301-599: The fleet through the battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa , facing sustained attacks from land-based Japanese kamikaze aircraft. As the Okinawa campaign dragged into its second month, the presence of the carriers was still required to provide close air support to the soldiers on the island as the Army and its Air Corps were not as adept as the Marine Corps at quickly establishing airfields over newly occupied territory. At

2360-459: The fleet, with the estimated winds of 140 kn (160 mph; 72 m/s; 260 km/h). As it was headed towards the fleet, barometric pressures as low as 27.3  inHg (924  mbar ) were reported by USS Dewey . The storm dissipated on December 19. TF 38 consisted of 7 fleet carriers , 6 light carriers , 8 battleships , 15 cruisers , and about 50 destroyers . The carriers had been conducting raids against Japanese airfields in

2419-527: The general impression of naval assets greater than what were actually available. The Fast Carrier Task Force took part in all the US Navy's battles in the Pacific during the last two years of the war. The task groups could operate independently or combine with the others as needs dictated. Raids against island strong points such as Iwo Jima or Chichi Jima might be undertaken by one or two task groups, but when

Typhoon Cobra - Misplaced Pages Continue

2478-477: The holder of an honorary appointment of a senior officer who oversees the non-operational affairs of a regiment. However, the rank of the appointment holder and the holder's appointment are separate. That is, not all lieutenant colonels are COs, and although most COs are lieutenant colonels, that is not a requirement of the appointment. Sub-units and minor units ( companies , squadrons and batteries ) and formations (brigades, divisions, corps and armies) do not have

2537-407: The mission was completed. Nimitz' assessment of the exhaustion and psychological toll on Spruance and Mitscher and their staff due to the kamikazes proved to be justified. The kamikazes were so relentless at Okinawa that Spruance's flagships were struck two separate times (the heavy cruiser USS  Indianapolis was hit on 31 March and had to retire for repairs which forced him to transfer to

2596-509: The naval base at Ulithi, with Admiral Nimitz, CINCPAC , in attendance at the court. Captain Herbert K. Gates was the judge advocate for the court. The court found that though Halsey had committed an "error of judgement" in sailing the Third Fleet into the heart of the typhoon, it stopped short of unambiguously recommending sanction. In January 1945, Halsey passed command of the Third Fleet to Admiral Raymond A. Spruance . This typhoon prompted

2655-656: The newly built fast battleships . With the arrival of the fleet carriers the primary striking power of the navy was no longer in its battleship force, but with the aircraft that could be brought to battle by the carriers. The means by which the US Navy operated these carriers was developed principally by Admiral Marc Mitscher . Mitscher determined that the best defense for a carrier was its own air groups, and that carriers were more easily defended if they operated together in groups, with supporting ships along with them to aid in air defense, anti-submarine defense, and rescue of downed airmen. Said Mitscher: "The ideal composition of

2714-486: The older Farragut -class and had been refitted with over 500 long tons (510 t) of extra equipment and armament, which made them top-heavy. Spence , Hull , and Monaghan either capsized or were sunk after water flooded down their smokestacks and disabled their engines. Without power, they were unable to control their heading and were at the mercy of the wind and seas. Hickox and Maddox pumped seawater into their empty fuel tanks, adding enough stability to ride out

2773-440: The ships in the task group and allowed the ships in the group to sail more closely together. The primary defense of the group against air attack was the group's own fighter cover. The individual primarily responsible for the development and operations of the task force was Admiral Mitscher. The overall command of the task force alternated between two very different admirals: Raymond Spruance and William "Bull" Halsey . Spruance

2832-816: The soldiers under him but does not have many of the command responsibilities inherent to higher echelons. For example, a platoon leader cannot issue non-judicial punishment . Non-commissioned officers may be said to have charge of certain smaller military units. They cannot, however, hold command as they lack the requisite authority granted by the head of state to do so. Those wielding "command" of individual vehicles (and their crews) are called vehicle commanders. This distinction in title also applies to officers who are aircraft commanders ("pilot in command"), as well as officers and enlisted soldiers who are tank and armored vehicle commanders. While these officers and NCOs have tactical and operational command (including full authority, responsibility, and accountability – especially in

2891-459: The storm with relatively minor damage. Many other ships of TF 38 suffered various degrees of damage, especially to radar and radio equipment, which crippled communications within the fleet. Several carriers suffered fires in their hangars, and 146 aircraft were wrecked or blown overboard. Nine ships—including one light cruiser , three light carriers, and two escort carriers —suffered enough damage to be sent for repairs. The carrier Monterey

2950-441: The three days following Typhoon Cobra by other ships of the 3rd Fleet. The destroyer USS  The Sullivans  (DD-537) emerged from the storm undamaged and began looking for survivors before returning to Ulithi on Christmas Eve. In all, 93 men were rescued of the over 800 men presumed missing in the three ships, and two others who had been swept overboard from the escort carrier Anzio . Despite disobeying fleet orders, Plage

3009-491: The war on 2 September 1945. Commanding officer The commanding officer ( CO ) or commander , or sometimes, if the incumbent is a general officer , commanding general ( CG ), is the officer in command of a military unit . The commanding officer has ultimate authority over the unit, and is usually given wide latitude to run the unit as they see fit, within the bounds of military law . In this respect, commanding officers have significant responsibilities (for example,

SECTION 50

#1732790352034

3068-576: Was a group of ships in World War II . It was the main striking force of the United States Navy in the Pacific War from January 1944 through the end of the war in September 1945. The task force was made up of several separate task groups, each typically built around three to four aircraft carriers and their supporting vessels. The support vessels were screening destroyers , cruisers , and

3127-483: Was also struck by a kamikaze , forcing him to have to change his flagship yet again. On 28 May 1945, Halsey arrived aboard USS  Missouri , his new flagship, whereupon he relieved Spruance, while McCain relieved Mitscher. Spruance and Mitscher returned to Pearl Harbor. Fifth Fleet once again became Third Fleet, and Task Force 58 became Task Force 38. Halsey remained in command until the Japanese surrender ended

3186-526: Was awarded the Legion of Merit by Halsey, and Tabberer' s crew was awarded Navy Unit Commendation ribbons (the first ever awarded). While conducting refueling operations off the Philippines, the Third Fleet remained on station rather than breaking up and seeking shelter from the storm. This led to a severe loss of men, ships, and aircraft. A Court of Inquiry was convened on board the USS Cascade at

3245-495: Was brought under control at 0945 and the C.O. , Captain Stuart H. Ingersoll, decided to let his ship lie dead in the water until temporary repairs could be effected. She lost 18 aircraft burned in the hangar deck or blown overboard and 16 seriously damaged, together with three 20-mm guns, and suffered extensive rupturing of her ventilation system. Cowpens lost 7 planes overboard and caught fire from one that broke loose at 1051, but

3304-426: Was calculating and cautious, while Halsey was more aggressive and known for taking risks. Most higher-ranking officers preferred to serve under Spruance; most common sailors were proud to serve under Halsey. Their commander was Admiral Chester Nimitz , who was responsible for all Pacific Ocean assets. When the force was part of Admiral Spruance's Fifth Fleet , the carrier task force was commanded by Mitscher and bore

3363-699: Was created on 6 January 1944 with Rear Admiral Marc Mitscher commanding, serving under the fleet command of Admiral Spruance in the Fifth Fleet. TF 38 continued to exist, but as a command structure only. TF 58 proved the success of the Fast Carrier TF concept with Operation Hailstone , a massive naval air squadrons and surface vessels attack on the Japanese ships and airfield at Truk Lagoon on 17–18 February 1944. The only time that any aircraft carriers were used to support operations in New Guinea in

3422-490: Was nearly taken down in flames by its own airplanes as they crashed into bulkheads and exploded during violent rolls. One of those fighting the fires aboard Monterey was Lieutenant Gerald Ford , later President of the United States . Ford later recalled nearly going overboard when 20° and greater rolling caused aircraft below decks to careen into each other, igniting a fire. Ford, serving as General Quarters Officer of

3481-689: Was under the command of Admiral Ralph Davison . Following the Battle of Leyte Gulf , Mitscher went on shore leave and planning duty, and Vice Admiral McCain took over as commanding officer of TF 38, which continued under Halsey and the Third Fleet. In January 1945 TF 38 raided the South China Sea and attacked Japanese positions in Formosa and Luzon. On 26 January 1945, Halsey and McCain went on shore leave and planning duty, while Spruance and Mitscher returned to their previous commands. Third Fleet became Fifth Fleet, and TF 38 became TF 58. They led

#33966