Description
This is the first-ever biography of Vice Admiral Willis A. Lee Jr., a key figure in World War IIs Pacific theater. The book Battleship Commander explores Lees life from his boyhood in Kentucky to his command of fast battleships from 1942-1945.
Drawing on over 150 firsthand accounts, the biography offers a balanced look at the man and officer, detailing his career, focus on operational and strategic concerns, and preparations for naval warfare.
Key aspects covered:
- Role in preparing the U.S. Navy for war at sea (1939-1942)
- Involvement in inspecting warship designs
- Emphasis on equipping U.S. warships with radar and antiaircraft guns
- Command of Task Force 64 and victory at Guadalcanal (November 1942)
- Analysis of missed combat opportunities and strategic decisions
- Direction of anti-kamikaze research efforts (Summer 1945)
Winner of the 2022 Rear Admiral Samuel Eliot Morison Award for Naval Literature.