Admiral Chester Nimitz

Fleet Admiral Chester William Nimitz was Commander in Chief of Pacific Forces for the U.S. and Allied forces during World War II. In his day he was the leading U.S. authority on submarines, served as Chief of the Navy Bureau, and was the last surviving Fleet Admiral in the U.S.

Nimitz was a German descendent born in Fredericksburg, Texas in 1885, where his home is now a museum. Fredericksburg is also home to the Nimitz National Museum of the Pacific War. His military career began in earnest with the beginning of World War II. In 1917 he became aide to Rear Admiral Samuel S. Robinson, Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet. He was then appointed in 1918 as Chief of Staff and quickly worked his way up the ladder.

Ten days after the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1942, marking the U.S. entry into World War II, Nimitz was named Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet with the rank of Admiral. Despite being behind from the start due to losses at Pearl Harbor and a shortage of ships, planes, and supplies, he was able to successfully stop the Japanese advance in the Pacific.

On October 7, 1943 Nimitz was designated Commander in Chief, Pacific Fleet, and Pacific Ocean Areas. The position of Fleet Admiral, the highest grade in the Navy, was established by an Act of Congress in 1943 and the next day President Roosevelt appointed Admrial Nimitz to the rank. After the war, in late 1945, he was nominated as Chief of Naval Operations which was confirmed by the U.S. Senate.

Labels: historical battels, leaders