(As this question is in the WW2 category, this answer is specific to WW2 combatants)
"fleet admiral" can refer either to a role, or a rank.
As a rank, "fleet admiral" was formally known as "Admiral of the Fleet" in the Royal Navy, Soviet Navy, "Großadmiral" in the Nazi Kreigsmarine, "Fleet Admiral" in the US Navy, and Marshal-Admiral (Gensui) in the Imperial Japanese Navy.
In all cases, it was the highest naval rank in each country. Most countries seldom had more than one or two persons serving at that rank at one time. The exception was the US Navy, which had 4 serving Fleet Admirals by the end of WW2. The duties of someone filling the rank of Fleet Admiral generally would be considered Logistical and Grand Strategy - that is, they were almost exclusively shore-bound commanding vast collections of fleets of ships in far-flung campaigns, or heavily involved in naval production and procurement.
As a functional role, "fleet admiral" generally refers to the commanding admiral of a specific fleet. It can refer to a variety of ranks of admiral, but, was generally not applied to anyone not at least of admiral rank; those of less than admiral rank who commanded collections of ships were usually afforded the title "commodore". If there were several admiral-ranked personnel in a fleet, "fleet admiral" would be the moniker applied to the one in command (usually the most senior, but not necessarily, depending on circumstances).
The role of fleet admiral is a tactical command - it involves directing the operations of the fleet, according to the grand strategy directed by the naval command authority. A fleet admiral would have wide latitude of both action and authority to accomplish their assigned mission(s). Their command usually included not just naval vessels, but transport vessels, naval bases, marines, and sometime even non-Navy assets in the area of operation.
The Japanese leaders were the Japanese Combined Fleet commander Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto and also admirals or captains Chuichi Nagumo, Nobutake Kondo, Ryusaku Yanagimoto and Tamon Yamaguchi. (the final two were killed in the battle) For the US, Admiral Chester W. Nimitz was the US Pacific Fleet commander, and fleet admirals included Frank J. Fletcher and Raymond A. Spruance.
Well, honey, the U.S. Navy has had a total of 9 Fleet Admirals. Those big shots were William D. Leahy, Ernest King, Chester W. Nimitz, and William F. Halsey, just to name a few. So, there you have it, darling, a handful of Navy's finest Fleet Admirals strutting their stuff.
Admiral Nimitz was in overall command of the American Fleet, with Admirals Spruance and Fletcher in operational command. Yamamoto planned the attack, but it was carried out by Kondo and Nagumo.
There is only one Admiral in the Indian Navy. But there are quite a few Vice-Admirals and Rear Admirals,these are below the rank of Admiral and are all under the Admiral only. Shailesh Mehta 9425082058
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The Japanese leaders were the Japanese Combined Fleet commander Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto and also admirals or captains Chuichi Nagumo, Nobutake Kondo, Ryusaku Yanagimoto and Tamon Yamaguchi. (the final two were killed in the battle) For the US, Admiral Chester W. Nimitz was the US Pacific Fleet commander, and fleet admirals included Frank J. Fletcher and Raymond A. Spruance.
A group of admirals is commonly referred to as a "fleet" or a "panel." While there isn't a widely recognized collective noun specifically for admirals, these terms convey the idea of a gathering of high-ranking naval officers. In some contexts, they might also be informally referred to as a "board" when discussing a group convened for decision-making or advisory purposes.
Well, honey, the U.S. Navy has had a total of 9 Fleet Admirals. Those big shots were William D. Leahy, Ernest King, Chester W. Nimitz, and William F. Halsey, just to name a few. So, there you have it, darling, a handful of Navy's finest Fleet Admirals strutting their stuff.
I'm not sure of the 2009 figures but back in May 1805 there were 144 Admirals consisting of 46 Admirals, 36 Vice Admirals and 62 Rear Admirals.
A constellation of Admirals.
Admiral Nimitz was in overall command of the American Fleet, with Admirals Spruance and Fletcher in operational command. Yamamoto planned the attack, but it was carried out by Kondo and Nagumo.
Nelson Admirals was created in 1967.
Amsterdam Admirals ended in 2007.
Amsterdam Admirals was created in 1995.
Norfolk Admirals was created in 2000.
Greenwich Admirals was created in 2001.