World War II
Serving as executive officer on board the Ranger (CV-4) on the Neutrality Patrol in the Atlantic for a year, Sprague helped commission the escort carrier Charger (AVG-30) and commanded the vessel during training missions in the Chesapeake from February to December 1942.
After serving staff duty from January to June 1943, Sprague commissioned the Intrepid (CV-11) in August, and commanded the aircraft carrier in raids against the Truk and Marshall Islands during the first two months of 1944.
Promoted to Rear Admiral in June, Sprague commanded Carrier Division 22 which covered the assault on Guam from July–August and Morotai in September. In command of Task Group 77.4 and Task Unit 77.4.1 ("Taffy 1") during the Battle of Leyte Gulf from October 24–25, Sprague briefly commanded Pacific training carriers under Carrier Division 11, before leading Carrier Division 3 off Okinawa from April–June 1945. Commanded Task Force 38.1 during the final air operations against Japan by the war's end.
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