As for Crace's young years, at the age of 13 in 1902 he entered the Royal Navy's midshipman college. He was admitted as a "colonial cadet" and rated 76 out of a total intake of 77. Each morning they were awaken by a bucket of cold water. After a harsh course, he graduated 18 months later. He then served in the Navy in World War 1 and between wars, specialized in torpedo warfare.
1939 John Crace, now Rear Admiral took command of the Royal Australian Navy. As World War 2 came he was given a placement by British Admiralty and given a difficult task. Thinking about leaving the job, he reconsidered. After Japan attacked Pearl Harbor the U.S declared war and the Navy high command awarded Crace sea going command of
H.M.A.S. AUSTRALIA (Flag Ship) H.M.A.S. HOBART (Cruiser) - the first R.A.N. vessel to have radar fitted
H.M.A.S. CANBERRA (Refitted at Sydney Naval Dockyard)
U.S.S. CHICAGO
U.S.S. PERKINS (Destroyer)
U.S.S. FARRAGUT (Destroyer)
U.S.S. WALKE (Destroyer)
Crace's ships were ordered to repel the Japanese invasion. The character and integrity of Crace was to be tested. During the Pearl Harbor bombing, Rear Admiral Crace realized that Japanese Admiral Inoue had noticed his presence at Jomard Pass and that Inoue would want to wipe out the Australian Squadron completely, using the Japanese base at Rabaul. Crace's squadron, now known as Anzac Force, was working with New Zealand's cruisers Achilles and Leander off the coast of Noumea when word came through that HMAS Yarra and HMAS Perth had disappeared in Indonesian waters without a trace. Japanese torpedo bombers attacked Crace's ships with bombs. Crace orders Action Stations and sends alerts. Crace's squadron, having re-fueled two days earlier on May 5th. The U.S. Ships painted battleship gray, and the Australian ships camouflage pattern, as a background to the Coral Sea. The battle had then begun. Strict radio silence occurred throughout the Allied forces with the result that the Battle of the Coral Sea was over before the rest of the Allied forces knew anything about it. Rear Admiral Crace continued to patrol the Jomard Passage area until May 10th, 1942. At this time he received a congratulatory signal from U.S. Admiral Fletcher on his forces great victory. Crace then returned south in order to supply and refuel.
ANOTHER INTERVIEW
http://www.delsjourney.com/uss_neosho/coral_sea/coral_sea_interview.htm
1939 John Crace, now Rear Admiral took command of the Royal Australian Navy. As World War 2 came he was given a placement by British Admiralty and given a difficult task. Thinking about leaving the job, he reconsidered. After Japan attacked Pearl Harbor the U.S declared war and the Navy high command awarded Crace sea going command of
H.M.A.S. AUSTRALIA (Flag Ship) H.M.A.S. HOBART (Cruiser) - the first R.A.N. vessel to have radar fitted
H.M.A.S. CANBERRA (Refitted at Sydney Naval Dockyard)
U.S.S. CHICAGO
U.S.S. PERKINS (Destroyer)
U.S.S. FARRAGUT (Destroyer)
U.S.S. WALKE (Destroyer)
Crace's ships were ordered to repel the Japanese invasion. The character and integrity of Crace was to be tested. During the Pearl Harbor bombing, Rear Admiral Crace realized that Japanese Admiral Inoue had noticed his presence at Jomard Pass and that Inoue would want to wipe out the Australian Squadron completely, using the Japanese base at Rabaul. Crace's squadron, now known as Anzac Force, was working with New Zealand's cruisers Achilles and Leander off the coast of Noumea when word came through that HMAS Yarra and HMAS Perth had disappeared in Indonesian waters without a trace. Japanese torpedo bombers attacked Crace's ships with bombs. Crace orders Action Stations and sends alerts. Crace's squadron, having re-fueled two days earlier on May 5th. The U.S. Ships painted battleship gray, and the Australian ships camouflage pattern, as a background to the Coral Sea. The battle had then begun. Strict radio silence occurred throughout the Allied forces with the result that the Battle of the Coral Sea was over before the rest of the Allied forces knew anything about it. Rear Admiral Crace continued to patrol the Jomard Passage area until May 10th, 1942. At this time he received a congratulatory signal from U.S. Admiral Fletcher on his forces great victory. Crace then returned south in order to supply and refuel.
ANOTHER INTERVIEW
http://www.delsjourney.com/uss_neosho/coral_sea/coral_sea_interview.htm