Admiral William F. Halsey Jr. Autographs, Memorabilia & Collectibles

William F. "Bull" Halsey (1882-1959) was commander of the Allied naval forces in the South Pacific (1942-1944). After defeating the Japanese in a battle off the Solomon Islands, November 12-15, 1942, he was promoted to Four-Star Admiral. Halsey commanded the U.S. Third Fleet (1944-1945). Halsey's maxim was "Hit hard, hit fast, hit often!", and his aggressive tactics served the Navy well, although the risks he took at the Battle of Leyte Gulf (October 1944) are still hotly debated by historians. The formal surrender of Japan took place aboard his flagship Missouri in Tokyo Bay. For the ceremony, the Missouri became the flagship for Admiral Nimitz and Halsey moved to the Iowa. In December 1945, Halsey was promoted to the rank of Five-Star Fleet Admiral.