ComBatPac

COMBATPAC was the title, from 1922 to 1944, of the United States Navy officer who commanded the battleships of the larger United States Battle Fleet in the Pacific (Commander, Battleships, Pacific).

When formed in 1922, the Battle Fleet (renamed Battle Force in 1930 and Pacific Fleet in 1941), included various type commands. The battleship type was led by the COMBATPAC, generally a three-star vice admiral or two-star rear admiral. The COMBATPAC had five rear admirals (lower half) reporting to him, each leading a Battleship Division.

In late 1944, the battleships was reorganized into two type commands, each led by a vice admiral. Battleships Squadron One consisted of the Old Battleships, while Battleship Squadron Two consisted of the Fast Battleships.

Commanders

Former Commanders, Battleships, Battle Fleet

• Vice Admiral Henry A. Wiley, USN (1923)
• Vice Admiral William V. Pratt, USN (1927-1928)

Former Commanders, Battleships, Battle Force

• Vice Admiral Walton R. Sexton, USN (1934)
• Vice Admiral William D. Leahy, USN (1935-1936)
• Vice Admiral Clarence S. Kempff, USN (30 March 1936 - 2 January 1937)
• Vice Admiral Edward C. Kalbfus, USN (2 January 1937 - 29 January 1938)
• Vice Admiral John W. Greenslade, USN (29 January 1938 to 20 May 1939)
• Vice Admiral Charles P. Snyder (admiral), USN (1939 - January 1940)
• Vice Admiral William S. Pye, USN (January 1940 - January 1941)
• Rear Admiral Walter S. Anderson, USN (January 1941 - 10 April 1942)

Former Commanders, Battleships, Pacific Fleet

• Rear Admiral Walter S. Anderson, USN (10 April 1942 - 28 September 1942)
• Vice Admiral Herbert Fairfax Leary, USN (28 September 1942 - 16 April 1943)
• Vice Admiral Willis Augustus Lee, USN (16 April 1943 - 15 December 1944)

Former Commanders, Battleship Squadrons, Pacific Fleet

Squadron One

• Vice Admiral Jesse B. Oldendorf, USN (15 December 1944 - 2 September 1945)

Squadron Two

• Vice Admiral Willis A. Lee, USN (15 December 1944 - 25 August 1945)
• Rear Admiral John F. Shafroth, USN (25 August 1945 - 2 September 1945)

See also

• Battleships in World War II
• History of United States Naval Operations in World War II
• Further information on Battleship Divisions (BatDiv)

References

• Battle Force of 1940
• Change of Command announced for 1937
• Report of Commander, Battleships, Battle Force following the attack on Pearl Harbor
• 1941-1945 Commander, Battleships, Pacific list
• 1945 Organization of the US Pacific Fleet, US Navy History and Heritage Command
• 1934 Photo of US Fleet Staff, VADM Walton Sexton included
• Battleships, Battle Force, U.S. Fleet, Commander Vice Admiral Greenslade and Staff, circa 1938 photo, US Navy History and Heritage Command
• US Navy Biography of Vice Admiral Willis A. Lee, Jr.
• US Navy Biography of Admiral Jesse B. Oldendorf
• US Navy Photo of Vice Admiral Leahy as Commander, Battleships, Battle Force 1938
• US Navy Photo of Vice Admiral Leahy and Battleships, Battle Force Staff
• US Navy Photo of Vice Admiral Clarence S. Kempff assuming command of Battleships, Battle force