WILLIAM F. HALSEY, JR.: Fighting Admiral

Attack repeat attack"" not a criticism but a reminder of the Admiral's battle cry. A comic strip hero in his lifetime, he encouraged men by his good humor, achieved the rank of five-star admiral despite ""Indelicate outbursts"" (delicately excluded) and occasional mindless bravado. Guardian of the Pacific during World War II, Halsey claimed a ""hatred"" for the Japanese which, not analyzed or explained, reads like a high school football rivalry of international proportions. The gosh darn editing eliminates the quips he was known for, although anecdotes do capture some of the salty flavor. Never a Marshall, the Adniral has little besides military exploits to attract current attentions.