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	38k	Raymond Ames Spruance was born in Baltimore, Maryland, on 3 July 1886, son of Alexander P. and Annie Ames (Hiss) Spruance. He attended high schools in East Orange, New Jersey, and Indianapolis, Indiana, and Stevens Preparatory School, Hoboken, New Jersey, before entering the US Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland, on appointment from Indiana in 1903. Graduated on 12 September 1906, with the Class of 1907, he served the two years at sea, then required by law, and was commissioned Ensign on 13 September 1908. Advancing progressively in rank, he attained that of Admiral, to date from 4 February 1944. He was transferred to the Retired List of the US Navy in that rank on 1 July 1948. After graduation from the Naval Academy in 1906, he served on USS Iow until July 1907, then joined USS Minnesota, in which he made the World Cruise of the Fleet. In April 1909, he reported for instruction in electrical engineering at the General Electric Company, Schenectady, New York. Again ordered to sea, he served from May 1910 until October 1911 on USS Connecticut, after which he was Senior Engineer Officer of USS Cincinnati. In March 1913, he assumed command of USS Bainbridge. He returned to the United States in May 1914 and was assigned as Assistant to the Inspector of Machinery at the Newport News (Virginia) Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company. During the period February to June 1916, he assisted in fitting out USS Pennyslvania and served on board that battleship from her commissioning, 12 June 1916 until November 1917. The last year of World War I, he was assigned as Assistant Engineer Officer of the Navy Yard, New York, New York, with additional temporary duty in London, England, and Edinburgh, Scotland, in connection with fire control. In January 1919, he reported as Executive Officer of USS Agamemnon, employed in returning troops to the United States after the end of the war. Between April 1919 and June 1921, he successively fitted out and commanded USS Aaron Ward and USS Percival. He was assigned to the Bureau of Engineering, Navy Department, Washington, DC, to the Commander Naval Forces Europe. He then assumed command of USS Dale and later commanded USS Osborne. He attended the Senior Course at the Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island, during the period July 1926 to May 1927, after which he had a tour of duty in the Office of Naval Intelligence, Navy Department. In October 1929, he reported as Executive Officer of USS Mississippi and in June 1931 returned to the Naval War College for duty on the Staff. He was Chief of Staff and Aide to Commander Destroyers, Scouting Fleet from May 1933 until March 1935, then again served on the Staff of the Naval War College until April 1938, when he rejoined USS Mississippi this time to serve until January 1940 as Commanding Officer. In February 1940 he became the Commandant of the Tenth Naval District with headquarters in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and in July 1941 was assigned additional duty as Commander Caribbean Sea Frontier. He assumed command on 17 September 1941, of Cruiser Division Five, and served as second in command during operations in the Marshall Islands and at Wake Island in February 1942; and in the same capacity during the Marcus Island operations the following months. He was Junior Task Force Commander during the Battle of Midway in June 1942, when his force assisted in inflicting on the Japanese Navy its first decisive defeat in three hundred and fifty years. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal and cited as follows: “For exceptionally meritorious service… as Task Force Commander, United States Pacific Fleet. During the Midway engagement which resulted in the defeat of and heavy losses to the enemy fleet, his seamanship, endurance, and tenacity in handling his task force were of the highest quality.” He is also entitled to the Ribbon for and a facsimile of the Presidential Unit Citation awarded the USS Enterprise. In June 1942 he reported as Chief of Staff and Aide to the Commander in Chief, US Pacific Fleet, and in September of that year was designated Deputy Commander in Chief. In August 1943, he became Commander Central Pacific Force, which on 29 April 1944 was redesignated Commander Fifth Fleet. During these Pacific assignments, he was in overall command of the occupation of the Gilbert Islands, November 1943; the invasion of the Marshalls, January 1944; operations for the capture of Saipan, Guam and Tinian in the Marianas, which included the Battle of the Philippine Sea, 19 – 20 June, 1944, and later for the capture of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. He was awarded Gold Stars in lieu of the Second and Third Distinguished Service Medals. The citations follow in part according to dates of action: Gold Star in lieu of the Third Distinguished Service Medal: “For exceptionally meritorious service...as Chief of Staff and later as Deputy Commander in Chief, Pacific Fleet, while serving on the staff of Commander in Chief, Pacific Fleet and Pacific Ocean Areas, from June 18, 1942 to August 5, 1943…(He) exercised sound judgment, keen foresight and expert administrative ability in carrying out his many and varied duties, and… contributed materially to increasing the tempo of the war against Japan…” Gold Star in lieu of the Second Distinguished Service Medal: “…in a position of great responsibility as Commander Central Pacific Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, during the seizure and occupation of the Gilbert Islands in November 1943. In command of naval forces and certain Army amphibious and air forces during the assaults on Tarawa, Makin and Apamama, Vice Admiral Spruance conducted this action with daring strategy brilliant employment of the units of this command. The expeditious completion of this vital operation under his forceful leadership assured success in opening the Central Pacific Area to the United States Forces.” He was also awarded the Navy Cross “for extraordinary heroism as Commander Fifth Fleet in action against enemy Japanese forces during the invasion and capture of Iwo Jim, Volcano Islands, and Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, from January to May 1945…” The citation further states in part: “Responsible for the operation of a vast and complicated organization which included more than 500,000 men of the Army, Navy and Marine Corps, 318 combatant vessels and 1139 auxiliary vessels, (he) directed the forces under his command with daring, courage and aggressiveness. Carrier units of his force penetrated waters of the Japanese Homeland and Nansei Shoto and inflicted severe damage upon hostile aircraft, shore installations and shipping…” Detached from command of the Fifth Fleet on 8 November 1945, following the capitulation of the Japanese in August of that year, he relieved Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, USN, as Commander in Chief, US Pacific Fleet and Pacific Ocean Areas. He was relieved of that command on 1 February 1946 and ordered to duty as President of the Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island. On 16 October 1946, the former Secretary of War, the Honorable Robert P. Patterson, presented the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Admiral Spruance, with citation as follows: “Admiral Raymond A. Spruance, U.S. Navy, as Task Force Commander during the capture of the Marshall and Marianas Islands, rendered exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services from January to June 1944. During the joint operations leading to the assault and capture of the important enemy bases, complete integration of Army and Navy units was accomplished under his outstanding leadership, enabling all the forces to perform their closely co-ordinated missions with outstanding success.” On 18 March 1948, Admiral Spruance was presented the Insignia and Chancery documents of the decoration of Grand Officer of the Order of Leopold with Palm and the Croix de Guerre with Palm, by the Belgian Ambassador for the Prince Regent of Belgium. He continued duty as President of the Naval War College until relieved of active duty pending his retirement on 1 July 1948. Shortly before his retirement, he received the following Letter of Commendation from the Secretary of the Navy: "Your brilliant record of achievement in World War II played a decisive part in our victory in the Pacific. At the crucial Battle of Midway your daring and skilled leadership routed the enemy in the full tide of his advance and established the pattern of air-sea warfare which was to lead to his eventual capitulation..." Admiral Spruance was appointed Ambassador to the Republic of the Philippines by President Harry S. Truman in January 1952 and his resignation was accepted by President Dwight D. Eisenhower on 31 March 1955. In addition to the Navy Cross, the Distinguished Service Medal with two Gold Stars, the Army Distinguished Service Medal, the Commendation Ribbon and the Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon, Admiral Spruance had the Victory Medal, Overseas Clasp (World War I); American Defense Service Medal, Fleet Clasp; Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal; World War II Victory Medal; and the Navy Occupation Service Medal, Asia Clasp. Besides the Belgian decorations, he had the Gold Cross of the Chevalier of the Order of the Savior from the Government of Greece, and the Honorary Companion of the Order of the Bath from Great Britain. Admiral Spruance died on 13 December 1969, at his home in Pebble Beach, California.		Ron Reeves/Robert M. Cieri
	172k	Spruance under construction in March 2010.		Bill Gonyo
	197k	As above.		Bill Gonyo
	138k	Christening program for Spruance (DDG 111). The ceremony was held at Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine on June 5 2010.		Robert M. Cieri
	175k	100605-N-0000G-001. Bath, Maine, June 5 2010, Ellen Spruance Holscher, from Atlanta, sponsor of the guided-missile destroyer Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) Spruance (DDG 111), celebrates after christening the ship at a ceremony at General Dynamics Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine. The ship is named after Holscher's grandfather, Adm. Raymond A. Spruance, the U.S. Navy commander at the Battle of Midway, fought June 4-7, 1942. With Holscher are her two daughters, Dorothy Hamilton Holscher, left, and Margaret Spruance Holscher. Photo courtesy of General Dynamics Bath Iron Works by D. Griggs.		Bill Gonyo
	221k	100605-N-0000G-002. Bath, Maine, June 5 2010, Ellen Spruance Holscher and an unidentified man break a bottle of Champaign to christen the guided-missile destroyer Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) Spruance (DDG 111), during a ceremony at General Dynamics Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine. Holscher is the ship's sponsor. Spruance is named after Holscher's grandfather, Adm. Raymond A. Spruance, the U.S. Navy commander at the Battle of Midway, fought June 4-7, 1942. Photo courtesy of General Dynamics Bath Iron Works by D. Griggs.		Bill Gonyo
	221k	Bath, Maine, June 5 2010, the guided-missile destroyer Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) Spruance (DDG 111) displays her best as visitors celebrates after christening the ship at a ceremony at General Dynamics Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine. The ship is named after Adm. Raymond A. Spruance, the U.S. Navy commander at the Battle of Midway, fought June 4-7, 1942. Photo courtesy of General Dynamics Bath Iron Works.		Bill Gonyo
	109k	PCU Spruance (DDG-111) under construction with most of the hull intact.		Bill Gonyo
	44k	Launching an SM-2 missile on Sea Trials.		Ron Reeves
	16k	PCU Spruance (DDG-111) fire aboard at Bath Iron Works, the fire started because of a malfunction in the computer that regulates the fuel, the fuel continued pumping while the engine was not firing, then ignited.		Ron Reeves
	144k	120110-N-YM863-002. NWS Seal Beach, California, January 10 2011, the guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG 111) moored pier side at Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach, to conduct ordnance operations. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Eli J. Medellin, USN.		Robert M. Cieri
	65k	110923-N-AC979-116 Key West, FL, September 23, 2011, the guided-missile destroyer pre-commissioning unit (PCU) Spruance (DDG 111) arrives at Naval Air Station Key West for its formal commissioning ceremony to be held Oct. 1. The ship, named in honor of Adm. Raymond Spruance, commander of Carrier Task Force 16 during the World War II Battle of Midway, is commanded by Cmdr. Tate Westbrook of Murfreesboro, Tenn. Spruance is the second Navy ship to bear the name and the 61st ship in the Arleigh Burke-class of Navy destroyers. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Michael K. McNabb.		Tony Cowart
	82k	110923-N-AC979-143, as above.		Tony Cowart
	101k	110923-N-AC979-243, as above.		Tony Cowart
	113k	Night time Commissioning at Key West, October 1 2011.		Ron Reeves
	52k	111024-N-ZC343-667. San Diego, October 24, 2011, family and friends greet Sailors aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG 111) as the ship arrives at its new homeport at Naval Base San Diego. Spruance is the Navy's newest destroyer, commissioned Oct. 1 in Key West, Fla. U.S. Navy photo by Senior Chief Mass Communication Specialist Joe Kane.		Tommy Trampp
	250k	120109-N-CJ186-124. Pacific Ocean, January 9 2012, the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG 111) transits the Pacific Ocean during a routine underway period. Spruance is a multi-system guided-missile destroyer designed to operate independently or with an associated strike group. Spruance is assigned to Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Torrey W Lee, USN.		Robert M. Cieri
	123k	USS Spruance (DDG-111) and USS Stockdale (DDG-106) at San Diego, September 30 2012.		Richard Miller BMCS USNR RET.
	137k	June 17 2013 in San Diego harbor as seen from Shelter Island, at left is USS Spruance (DDG-111) moored at North Island, while USS Thatch (FFG-43) heads for sea.		Larry Backus
	162k	131126-N-BB269-017. Yokosuka, Japan, November 26 2013, the guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG 111) arrives at Fleet Activities Yokosuka for a routine port call. Spruance is on her maiden deployment in the Western Pacific from its homeport of San Diego. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Raymond D. Diaz III, USN.		Robert M. Cieri
	115k	San Diego, USS Spruance (DDG-111) with USS Dewey (DDG-105) behind and USS Stockdale (DDG-106) on other side of the pier, December 30 2013.		Richard Miller, BMCS, USNR (Ret.)
	130k	San Diego, USS Spruance (DDG-111) and USS Stockdale (DDG-106) on other side of the pier, December 30 2013.		Richard Miller, BMCS, USNR (Ret.)
	222k	USS Spruance (DDG-111) foreground, pulls away as the amphibious dock landing ship USS Rushmore (LSD-14) approaches the Military Sealift Command fast combat support ship USNS Rainier (T-AOE-7), center, in the Pacific Ocean, June 24 2014. The ships are en route to participate in the Rim of the Pacific 2014 exercise. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Dustin Knight. United States Navy News Service.		Robert Hurst/Robert M. Cieri
	158k	160419-N-YB832-040. San Diego, April 19 2016, the guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG 111) departs Naval Base San Diego for a scheduled deployment to the western Pacific region as part of Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet Pacific Surface Action Group (PAC SAG). Spruance, along with USS Decatur (DDG 73) and USS Momsen (DDG 92) and embarked "Devil Fish" and "Warbirds" detachments of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 49, will deploy as part of PAC SAG under Destroyer Squadron 31 (CDS-31). U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Ellen Hilkowski.		Ron Reeves
	94k	160419-N-RM689-214. San Diego, April 19 2016, USS Spruance (DDG 111) departs Naval Base San Diego for a scheduled deployment to the Western Pacific as part of Commander, U.S. Third Fleet Pacific Surface Action Group (PAC SAG). Spruance, along with guided missile destroyers USS Decatur (DDG 73) and USS Momsen (DDG 92) and embarked "Devil Fish" and "Warbirds" detachments of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 49, will deploy as part of PAC SAG under Destroyer Squadron 31 (CDS-31). U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Kelsey L. Adams.		Ron Reeves
	134k	160628-N-SU278-076. South China Sea, June 28 2016, Cmdr. Manuel Hernandez, commanding officer of the guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG 111), observes from Spruance's bridge wing as an MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 49 flies near the USS Momsen (DDG 92). Spruance and Momsen, along with the guided-missile destroyer USS Decatur (DDG 73) are deployed in support of maritime security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific as part of a U.S. 3rd Fleet Pacific Surface Action Group (PAC SAG) under Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 31. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Will Gaskill.		Ron Reeves
	109k	160702-N-OU129-108. Singapore, July 2 2016, the guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG 111) arrives at Changi Naval Base in Singapore July 2, 2016. Spruance is deployed in support of maritime security and stability in the Indo-Asia Pacific as part of a U.S. 3rd Fleet Pacific Action Group (PAC SAG) under Commander, Destroyer Squadron 31. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joshua Fulton.		Ron Reeves
	159k	An MH-60R Seahawk, attached to the “Warbirds” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 49, flies over the guided-missile destroyers USS Spruance (DDG 111) and USS Momsen (DDG 92), two of the three guided-missile destroyers deployed in a U.S. 3rd Fleet Pacific Surface Action Group (PAC SAG). US Navy photo.		Tommy Trampp
	60k	160727-N-SU278-293. South China Sea, July 27 2016, the guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG 111) takes on fuel from the Australian oiler HMAS Success (OR 304) while a Super Puma helicopter assigned to the U.S. Military Sealift Command USNS Matthew Perry (T-AKE 9), not pictured, transfers stores between the three ships during a refueling at sea. Spruance, along with the guided-missile destroyers USS Momsen (DDG 92) and USS Decatur (DDG 73), are deployed in support of maritime security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific as part of a U.S. 3rd Fleet Pacific Surface Action Group (PAC SAG) under Commander, Destroyer Squadron (CDS) 31. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Will Gaskill.		Ron Reeves
	103k	160730-N-SU278-145. South China Sea, July 30 2016, Ens. Shawn Kavanaugh, left, and Ens. Samantha DaSilva, assigned to the guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG 111), look on as the guided-missile destroyer USS Momsen (DDG 92) approaches. Spruance and Momsen, along with the guided-missile destroyer USS Decatur (DDG 73), are deployed in support of maritime security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific as part of a U.S. 3rd Fleet Pacific Surface Action Group (PAC SAG) under Commander, Destroyer Squadron (CDS) 31. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Will Gaskill.		Ron Reeves
	921k	180507-N-UD522-0047. Pacific Ocean, May 7, 2018, The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG 111) maneuvers alongside the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) during a replenishment-at-sea exercise. Spruance is underway with the ships and squadrons from Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 3 conducting group sail training in preparation for its next scheduled deployment. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class David A. Brandenburg/Released.		Dave Wright
	26k	Ship's patch.		Wolfgang Hechler

CDR Michael Tate Westbrook (PCU)    Oct 1 2011 - May 11 2012

CDR George Albert Kessler Jr.    May 11 2012 - Dec 23 2013

CDR Daniel Cobian    Dec 23 2013 - May 15 2015

CDR Manuel (Manny) Hernandez    May 15 2015 - Dec 2 2016

CDR Joshua M. Menzel    Dec 2 2016 - Apr 4 2018

CDR Matthew A. Smidt    Apr 4 2018 - Aug 1 2019

CDR James J. Sordi, Jr.    Aug 1 2019 - Dec 18 2020

CDR Micah T. Sybor   Dec 18 2020 - Apr 03 2022

CDR Douglas Andrew Robb   Apr 03 2022 - Apr 14 2023

CDR Christopher D. Ivey    Apr 14 2023 - present

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Last Updated 14 July 2023