World War II and Post-war Years
Following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941 and the subsequent relief of Admiral Husband E. Kimmel, Vice Admiral Pye was Acting Commander in Chief of the U.S. Pacific Fleet from 17 December until 31 December 1941. His major action in this position was to send a relief force built around the USS Saratoga to the aid of Wake Island. In a controversial decision, Pye recalled the relief force on 22 December after reports of additional landings on the island-for fear of losses. After relinquishing command of the Pacific Fleet to Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, Pye became the commander of Task Force One, comprising the remaining operational battleships in the Pacific fleet, based in San Francisco. Pye ordered this force to sortie to patrol the West Coast during the Battle of Midway, as a precaution against a possible Japanese attack in that area. His fears proved unfounded and Task Force One remained on training and patrol duties between Hawaii and the West Coast until Pye was relieved in October 1942. After Wake Island and Midway, he never commanded operating forces again. Vice Admiral Pye then became President of the Naval War College and simultaneously commanded the Naval Operating Base, Newport, Rhode Island. Though he officially retired in July 1944, he remained on as War College President until relieved of active duty in December 1945. Vice Admiral William S. Pye died at Bethesda, Maryland, on 4 May 1959. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
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