This Military Service Page was created/owned by
Robert Cox, YNCS
to remember
Sprague, Clifton Albert F (Ziggy), VADM USN(Ret).
If you knew or served with this Sailor and have additional information or photos to support this Page, please leave a message for the Page Administrator(s) HERE.
Contact Info
Home Town Dorchester, MA
Last Address San Diego, CA
Date of Passing Apr 11, 1955
Location of Interment Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery (VA) - San Diego, California
Notable career events:
- Entered the U.S. Naval Academy in June 1914 and graduated one year early on June, 28, 1917 in response to World War 1.
- Nicknamed "Ziggy" at the USNA.
- Served in the Atlantic on the Gun Boat Wheeling during World War 1 employed on combat patrol and escort duties in the Azores and Gibraltar areas.
- Was designated as one of the Navy's first 300 Flight Officers in August 1921.
- Credited with assisting inventor Carl Norden with improvements to aircraft carrier arresting gear on Lexington and Saratoga in the late 1920s.
- Was the first U.S. Navy Pilot to fly a non-stop round trip flight from Hawaii to Midway Island in February 1934.
- Was CO of Sea Plane Tender Tangier during the Japanese Pearl Harbor attack on December 7, 1941.
- Commanded the fast carrier Wasp in 1943 and 1944.
- Promoted to Rear Admiral in July 1944.
- His Task Unit 77.4.3 fought off the superior Japanese Centre Force at Leyte Gulf (Battle Off Samar) on October 25, 1944.
- Served as Commander of Carrier Division 26 at Iwo Jima and Okinawa.
- Commanded Carrier Division 2, embarked on USS Ticonderoga (CV-14) which operated against the Japanese home islands of Kyushu, Honshu, and Hokkaido in the summer of 1945.
- Was Commander, Navy Air Group for Operation Crossroads nuclear tests in July 1946.
- In November 1950, was the first U.S. Navy Admiral to fly over the North Pole.
- The guided missile frigate USS Clifton Sprague (FFG-16) commissioned March 21, 1981.
- Inducted into the Carrier Aviation Hall of Fame in 1985.
Other Comments:
Navy Cross
Awarded for Actions During World War II
Service: Navy
Division: Task Unit 77.4.3
General Orders: Commander 7th Fleet: Serial 0193 (January 19, 1945)
Citation: The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Rear Admiral Clifton Albert F. Sprague, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commander, Task Unit SEVENTY-SEVEN POINT FOUR POINT THREE (TU-77.4.3), consisting of six escort carriers and aboard the U.S.S. FANSHAW BAY (CVE-70), in action against the enemy from 18 through 25 October 1944. Rear Admiral Sprague furnished air support to amphibious attack groups landing troops on the shores of Leyte Gulf, Philippine Islands. On 25 October 1944, this Task Unit was taken under fire by a strong enemy force consisting of battleships, cruisers, and destroyers, and was under air attack from Japanese suicide dive bombers. In the face of overwhelming enemy fire power and speed he repeatedly launched aircraft against the enemy Fleet, directed torpedo attacks by the screen, and so skillfully maneuvered his force that only two of his carriers were lost. His stubborn defense and damage inflicted on the enemy ships by ships and aircraft of his command was a major factor contributing to the Japanese decision to retire from the Battle of Samar Island. Admiral Sprague's personal courage and determination in the face of overwhelming enemy surface gunfire and air attack were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
The following DECLASSIFIED naval message was sent by General Douglas MacArthur, CINCSWPA, two days after the battle. He goes into detail concerning Rear Admiral Sprague's Task Unit 77.4.3 at Samar.
TOP SECRET (DECLASSIFIED)
FROM CINCSWPA FOR ACTION COMINCH
INFORMATION CNO CINCPAC COMSOPAC
DATE 27 OCTOBER 1944 PRECEDENCE OP PRIORITY
PAGE 1 OF 2
CINCSWPA SENDS VIA COM 7TH FLT. ACTION COMINCH INFO CNO CINCPAC COMSOPAC.
BATTERED REMNANTS OF JAP STRIKING FORCES RETIRING WESTWARD AFTER THE BATTLE OF LEYTE GULF. CONFLICTING REPORTS STILL OBSCURE TOTAL DAMAGE INFLICTED AND RECEIVED. IN ADDITION TO CASUALTIES PREVIOUSLY REPORTED GAMBIER BAY, CVE FELL BACK ON 1 ENGINE AFTER 1ST ATTACK BY STRONG JAP FORCE AND TOGETHER WITH JOHNSTON, DD, ROBERT*, DD, AND 1 DE MUST HAVE BEEN SUNK BY ENEMY GUN FIRE. ALL 4 ARE MISSING. 5 REMAINING CVE OF UNIT SUBJECTED TO CRASH BOMBING ATTACK BY 6 SUICIDE PLANES. 3 PLANES HIT BY AA WERE NEAR MISSES. KITKUN BAYS PORT CATWALK HIT BY 1 PLANE. ANOTHER SKIDDED LENGTH OF KALININ BAY FLIGHT DECK OVER BOW.
PAGE 2 OF 2
REMAINING PLANE PIERCED SAINT LO FLIGHT DECK AND SHE BLEW UP. PILOTS REPORT FOLLOWING MINIMUM DAMAGE INFLICTED ON JAPS BY THIS UNIT. 1 CA SUNK. ANOTHER CA BLASTED AND LYING ON SIDE. 3 MORE CA'S TORPEDOED. 1 BB DAMAGED. TORPEDO HIT SANTEE. SUICIDE PILOT CRASHED ON SANGAMON. PRACTICALLY ALL CVE'S WERE DAMAGED. THE JAP FORCE WAS DRIVEN BACK. FANSHAW BAY, WHITE PLAINS, KALININ BAY, KITKUN BAY PROCEEDING TO MANUS FOR REPAIRS. PERSONNEL CASUALTY REPORTS FRAGMENTARY. 2 PC, 6 LCI SEARCHING BATTLE AREA OFF LEYTE FOR SURVIVORS. ADVANCING AND RETURNING ECHELONS CONTINUE TO MOVE ON SCHEDULE. MACARTHUR.