How to Learn About William "Bull" Halsey, Jr.

Step-by-Step Guide

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   Step 1: Seek insight into how people thought

   For example, people from his era would have thought differently about how we fight wars than we do now.
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   Step 2: felt and acted in the time when he was born in the 1880s.

   Admiral Halsey graduated from the US Naval Academy in
   1904., "Bull" studied medicine for one year at the United States Naval Academy, and admitted he learned little while there.
   
   Also, he enrolled in that university as his best friend was there, and earned several athletic honors., Awarded the Navy Cross for meritorious naval service, he earned the Navy Cross for distinguished service in WWI.
   
   During that time, he commanded the USS Shaw and specialized in torpedo boats and destroyers. , Halsey never took the easy road to success.
   
   In the 1930s, before taking command of the aircraft carrier USS Saratoga, he insisted on taking a more difficult and lengthy aviator course, and was the last one in the class to graduate as an aircraft pilot. , For example:
   Vice Admiral Halsey was at sea during Pearl Harbor, commanding the USS Enterprise.
   
   It is said that he stated: "Before we're through with 'em, the Japanese language will only be spoken in hell." While such talk would be considered inappropriate today, it was not so in those days of war and revenge, after the massive bombing sneak attack by Japan at Pearl Harbor while the U.S. was still at peace with Japan. , Research his victories, and their importance in winning WWII in the Pacific.
   
   He helped secure Guadalcanal for the Allies in a crucial victory, and was also instrumental in victories in the Solomon Islands, Rabaul, the Bismark Archipelago, Palaus, Leyte and Luzon.
   
   He was also involved in raids on Japanese bases, such as in Formosa, China and Vietnam. , Admiral Halsey sailed to intercept a Japanese decoy fleet observed by U.S. spotter aircraft, and left the San Bernardino Strait unguarded where the Japanese main fleet attacked the US supply flight.
   
   From this, a small US escort aircraft carrier and three smaller ships were destroyed.
   
   While a heroic resistance by American sailors and aircraft pilots from several escort carriers prevented immense tragedy, an important Japanese fleet was able to escape when it might have been defeated soundly. , Also consider how the truly "greats" get back on their feet and move on.
   
   For example, in another blunder, known as "Halsey's Typhoon"
   
   Admiral Halsey did not retreat from powerful Typhoon Cobra but turned his ships into the storm, and three destroyers sank with many other ships damaged. 800 men died.
   
   A Navy court found that he committed an error of judgment, but he was not sanctioned. ,, Some say that this humane treatment by victorious Allied forces was unprecedented in human history. , who after he was promoted to Fleet Admiral on 12/1945, retired from active duty on 3/1947.
   
   He and his wife are buried in Arlington National Cemetery. ,
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   Step 3: Research the teaching methods of the academy during his time

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   Step 4: as well as current teaching modalities for insight into his motivations

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   Step 5: decisions and actions.

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   Step 6: Consider how someone not so academically inclined helped change the course of history.

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   Step 7: Study how life was aboard such vessels then

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   Step 8: and consider how that might shape a man.

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   Step 9: Discuss with your friends how dedication means learning all one can about a field of interest.

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    Step 10: Think about wartime situations and how disparaging the enemy might have been necessary to inspire his sailors.

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    Step 11: Discuss with your friends

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    Step 12: family and classmates what life might be like for everyone if his famous battles had been unsuccessful.

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    Step 13: Consider his most major error

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    Step 14: termed "Halsey's Blunder".

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    Step 15: Read up on his blunders

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    Step 16: and discuss and think about how bold men/women are apt to make crucial mistakes due to their enormous responsibilities.

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    Step 17: Discuss this important historical figure in naval warfare and appreciate that it was on the deck of his flagship

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    Step 18: the USS Missouri

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    Step 19: on Sept 2

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    Step 20: that Japan formally surrendered to end the War in The Pacific (of WWII).

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    Step 21: Study on

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    Step 22: and find how fairly these Japanese officers were treated

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    Step 23: as was the post-war nation of Japan

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    Step 24: despite the horrific losses of life and treatment suffered by Allied forces that the Japanese captured.

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    Step 25: Learn about such leaders and say

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    Step 26: "Farewell to this gallant man!"

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    Step 27: Remember his generation and salute the two modern missile ships named after him (as one replaced the other): the USS Halsey

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    Step 28: a Leahy-class guided missile cruiser

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    Step 29: and the USS Halsey

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    Step 30: an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer.

Detailed Guide

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