Sprague, Thomas Lamison, VADM

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.

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• 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.


• Died on September 17, 1972.