The United States Navy in World War II: From Pearl Harbor to Okinawa

by Mark E. Stille

A comprehensive overview of the strategy, operations and vessels of the United States Navy from 1941 to 1945.

Although slowly building its navy while neutral during the early years of World War II, the US was struck a serious blow when its battleships, the lynchpin of US naval doctrine, were the target of the dramatic attack at Pearl Harbor. In the Pacific Theatre, the US was thereafter locked into a head to head struggle with the impressive Imperial Japanese Navy, fighting a series of major battles in the Coral Sea, at Midway, the Philippine Sea, Leyte Gulf and Okinawa in the struggle for supremacy over Japan. Having avoided the decisive defeat sought by the IJN, the US increased industrial production and by the end of the war, the US Navy was larger than any other in the world.

Meanwhile in the west, the US Navy operated on a second front, supporting landings in North Africa, Sicily, and Italy, and in 1944 played a significant part in the D-Day landings, the largest and most complex amphibious operation of all time.

Written by an acknowledged expert and incorporating extensive illustrations including photographs, maps and colour artwork, this book offers a detailed look at the strategy, operations and vessels of the US Navy in World War II.

Genres: History, World War II

466 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 1, 1986

Reviews

[Ryan Meskill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Initial caveat: I read the audiobook.

I don’t think it’s properly fair to give this book an awful review, but while I was expecting a detailed history of the USN in WWII (like a single volume of James Hornfischer’s excellent series), instead I got detailed descriptions of every single class of warship and the briefest summary of the war itself. Mea culpa, for sure, but just beware: this is not a history, but essentially a ‘ships of the navy’ book, which, though perhaps interesting on a coffee table, does not translate well into audiobook.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well researched and thought out compilation of the U.S. Navy from the post WW I era through the end of WW II. An easy to follow trail that is historically significant considering how ship building since WW II has evolved. Well worth the time investment to read.

[Joseph Ficklen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book, gives an overview of the entire US Navy of WW2, not just of the Pacific War, although most naval forces were posted to that theater. I found this one more accessible than Stille’s book on the IJN, perhaps because of less funny names. Recommended to readers of naval history!

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting, but somewhat dry.

[Phillip Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great book, but very scholarly.

[Mark Luongo · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book that features a lot of technical/mechanical info that you wouldn't normally find in a book of this title. Boilers, shipyards, treaty classifications, gun types, and ship design among other things. Also some interesting critical observations about strategy, tactics and the transformation of the U.S. Navy from its pre-war status to the world's foremost naval force during and after the war.
In my opinion, the best looking ships ever designed.