Thomas L. Sprague
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Lima, Ohio
Chula Vista, California
United States
United States NavyThomas Lamison Sprague | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Official portrait, 1949 | |
| Born | October 2, 1894 Lima, Ohio |
| Died | September 17, 1972 (aged 77) Chula Vista, California |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service | United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1917–1952 |
| Rank |  Vice Admiral |
| Commands | USS Montgomery (DD-121) Scouting Squadron 6 USS Charger (AVG-30) USS Intrepid (CV-11) Carrier Division 22 Task Group 77.4 / Task Unit 77.4.1 ("Taffy I") Carrier Division 11 Carrier Division 3 Task Force 38.1 First Task Fleet Pacific Fleet Air Force |
| Battles / wars | World War I World War II |
| Awards | Navy Cross Navy Distinguished Service Medal Legion of Merit with Combat "V" and gold star[1] |
Thomas Lamison Sprague (October 2, 1894 – September 17, 1972) was a vice admiral of the United States Navy, who served during World War II as commander of the aircraft carrier Intrepid and took part in the battles of Guam, Leyte Gulf and Okinawa.
Born in Lima, Ohio, Sprague graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1917 (although no relation to Admiral Clifton "Ziggy" Sprague, the two both attended the Naval Academy, later graduating from the same class). He served aboard the protected cruiser Cleveland 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 destroyer Montgomery in July. As a member of the ship's anti-submarine patrol, Sprague would eventually come to command Montgomery from January to November 1920.[2]
Inter-war years
After participating in naval flight training at Naval Air Station Pensacola, 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 battleship Maryland serving with Observation Squadron 1 for two years before being stationed at the Naval Air Station San Diego in 1928.[2]
Between 1931 and 1936, Sprague served as commander of Scouting Squadron 6, director of the Aeronautical Engine Laboratory at the Naval Aircraft Factory in Philadelphia, and air officer on board the aircraft carrier Saratoga before being reassigned as to Pensacola as superintendent of Naval Air Training from 1937 to 1940.[2]
