This Military Service Page was created/owned by
Robert Cox, YNCS
to remember
Sprague, Thomas Lamison, VADM USN(Ret).
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Contact Info
Last Address Lima, Ohio
Date of Passing Sep 17, 1972
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I created this profile of Vice Admiral Sprague as part of my research of the Battle Off Samar. Sprague was the Commander of the American Task Group 77.4 and Task Unit 77.4.1 (Taffy I). The little escort carriers (CVEs) he commanded were an intergal part of winning the war in the Pacific.
Please visit my Battle Off Samar famous Naval officer profiles:
Thomas Lamison Sprague was born on October 2, 1894 in Lima, Ohio.
Graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1917 (although no relation to Admiral Clifton "Ziggy" Sprague, the two both attended Annapolis later graduating from the same class).
Serving aboard the USS Cleveland (C-19) assigned to the trans-Atlantic convoy from June 1917 until April 1918 and, after serving on shore duty for a brief period, Sprague assisted in the official commission of the USS Montgomery (DD-121) in July. As a member of the ship's anti-submarine patrol, Sprague would eventually come to command the destroyer from January to November 1920.
After participating in naval flight training at Pensacola Naval Air Station (NAS), Sprague served as a staff officer under Pacific Air commander Admiral H.V. Butler from 1921 to 1923.
In 1926, Sprague was transferred to the USS Maryland (BB-46) serving with Observation Squadron 1 for two years before being stationed at the San Diego Naval Air Station in 1928.
Between 1931 and 1936, Sprague served as commander of Scouting Squadron 6, director of the Philadelphia naval aircraft factory aeronautical engine lab, and air officer onboard the USS Saratoga (CV-3) before being reassigned as to Pensacola as superintendent of Naval Air Training from 1937 to 1940.
Serving as executive officer onboard the USS Ranger (CV-4) on neutrality patrol in the Atlantic for a year, Sprague helped commission the escort carrier USS Charger (AVG-30) and commanded the vessel during training missions in the Chesapeake from February to December 1942.
After serving staff duty from January to June 1943, Sprague commissioned the USS Intrepid (CV-11) in August, and commanded the aircraft carrier in raids against the Truk and Marshall Islands during the first two months of 1944.
Promoted to Rear Admiral in June 1944, Sprague commanded carrier Division 22 which covered the assault on Guam from July-August and Morotai in September.
In command of Task Group 77.4 ("Taffy 1") during the Battle of Leyte Gulf from October 24-25 1944.
Briefly commanded Pacific training carriers under Carrier Division 11, before leading Carrier Division 3 off Okinawa from April-June 1945.
Commanding task Force 38.1 during the final air operations against Japan by the war's end.
Chief of the Bureau of Naval Personnel in 1946 serving until his promotion to Vice Admiral in August 1949.
Appointed commander of the Pacific Fleet Air Force in October, Sprague would hold this post until his retirement in April 1952.
Briefly returned to active duty to negotiate with the Philippine government over the status of U.S. air bases in 1956.
The ship was re-designated from a Wickes Class Destroyer to a Stribling Class Light Minelayer, January 1931.
Namesake: Rear Admiral John B. Montgomery 1794-1873
Laid down by Newport News Shipbuilding on October 2 1917.
Launched March 23 1918 and commissioned July 26 1918.
Decommissioned at San Diego June 6 1922 and berthed there until recommissioning on August 20 1931.
Reclassified Light Minelayer DM-17 January 5 1931.
Recommissioned August 20 1931.
Decommissioned from December 7 1937 until September 25 1939.
The Montgomery was assigned to Mine Divsion Two at Naval Station Pearl Harbor, December 7th, 1941 and was nested at berth D3 along with her sisterships, USS Gamble (DD-123/DM-15) and USS Ramsay (DD-124/DM-16/AG-98).
The Montgomery was irreparably damaged by a mine in Ngulu Lagoon, Caroline Islands October 17 1944.
Stricken April 28 1945.
Fate Sold March 11 1946 and hulk was broken up for scrap
Specifications:
Displacement 1,090 t.
Length 314' 4"
Beam 30' 10"
Draft 9' 2"
Speed 34 kts.
Complement 103
Armament: Four 4"/50 mounts, one 3"/23 mount, one depth charge projector and two depth charge tracks
Propulsion: Four Yarrow/Thornycroft boilers, two 24,200shp Curtis geared turbines, two shafts.
Other Memories Sprague assisted in the official commission of the USS Montgomery (DD-121) in July. Sprague would eventually come to command the destroyer from January to November 1920.
The fifth USS Montgomery (DD?121) was a Wickes class destroyer in the United States Navy during the World War I, later reclassified DM-17. She was named for General Richard Montgomery.
Montgomery was built by Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Company, launched 23 March 1918; sponsored by Mrs. Andrew Jones, a descendent of Admiral Montgomery; and commissioned 26 July 1918, Lt. Comdr. W. R. Purnell in command.
Following an east coast shakedown, Montgomery left Hampton Roads 25 August 1918 for her first antisubmarine patrol, alternating such patrols with coastal escort duty until the close of World War I. She conducted training and fleet maneuvers from Maine to Cuba until 19 July 1919, when she departed Hampton Roads for west coast duty.
Montgomery arrived San Diego 7 August to join Destroyer Squadron 4, Pacific Fleet. For the next 3 1⁄2 years she took part in fleet operations from Alaska to Panama, then on 17 March 1922 began inactivation at San Diego, where she decommissioned 6 June 1922.
Redesignated DM-17, 5 January 1931, Montgomery was converted to a light minelayer and recommissioned 20 August 1931. In December she sailed to Pearl Harbor, her base until 14 June 1937, when she returned to San Diego, there to decommission 7 December 1937 and go into reserve.
With world tension increasing on the eve of World War II, Montgomery reactivated, recommissioning 25 September 1939. She trained for possible war service and completed several towing assignments on the west coast until 3 December 1940 when she sailed for her new home port, Pearl Harbor.
At Pearl Harbor during the Japanese attack 7 December 1941, Montgomery immediately began antisubmarine patrols in the approaches to the vital base, as well as interisland convoy duty. Departing Hawaii 11 April 1942 for Suva, Fiji, Montgomery began 16 months operating from Suva, Espiritu Santo, and Noumea for escort and minelaying operations in the southwest Pacific, aiding In the struggle for the Solomons. One interruption to this service was 22 September to 12 November, when she sailed north to lay mines in the Aleutians in preparation for the recapture of Attu and Kiska.
While laying a minefield off Guadalcanal on the night of 24 August to 25 August 1943, Montgomery collided with light minelayer Preble, losing 20 feet of her bow. She made temporary repairs at Tulagi and Espiritu Santo, then sailed 1 October for San Francisco, arriving 19 October.
Repairs completed, Montgomery began 10 months of activity which included 2 convoy escort voyages between San Francisco and Hawaii (8 December 1943 to 5 February 1944), defensive minelaying around Kwajalein (17 March to 4 April), convoy escort to Majuro (May 1944), and local convoy escort in the Hawaiians. Montgomery attacked an enemy submarine contact 25 June 1944 without evident result. After an escort voyage to Eniwetok and return (28 June to July 16), she sailed for Guadalcanal to prepare for the invasion of the Palaus.
Getting underway for the assault 6 September, Montgomery took station off Peleliu 12 September to destroy mines swept from the Japanese minefields. On 17 September she screened transports landing assault troops on Angaur, and 2 days later sailed for mine destruction and patrol duties at Ulithi until 14 October. She bombarded Ngulu 15 October and acted as mother ship for small minelayers during the capture of the atoll.
While anchored off Ngulu 17 October, with her engines secured, Montgomery sighted a mine floating close aboard to port. The wind swung the ship down onto the mine before she could get underway or destroy it. The resulting explosion flooded both enginerooms and one fireroom, ruptured fuel tanks, and killed four of her crew. Salvage efforts kept her afloat until she could be towed to Ulithi for repairs. Underway on her own power 12 January 1945, Montgomery arrived San Francisco 14 February. There it was recommended that she be decommissioned, which she was 23 April 1945. Montgomery was sold 11 March 1946.
Montgomery received four battle stars for World War II service.
