why was chester nimitz important

 

It was during this time that in 1912 he received a Silver Lifesaving Medal for rescuing W.J. Contributor: C. Peter Chen. Nimitz failed to get into West Point to pursue a career in the army but he was selected for the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis. Naval Hospital (Oak Knoll) in Oakland to return home to his naval quarters. In late 1965, Nimitz suffered a stroke, complicated by pneumonia. Apparently the sailor had bet $20 to his shipmates that he could meet the Admiral. In the Philippines, his ships destroyed much of the remaining Japanese naval power at the Battle of Leyte Gulf, October 24 to 26, 1944. Hornet. Nimitz Hotel. King and Nimitz provided MacArthur with some naval forces but kept most of the carriers. Bettman/Getty ImagesPacific Ship Conference-Left to right: Major General Ralph Smith (back turned), commanding Twenty-Seventh U.S. Infantry division; Admiral Chester W. Nimitz; Capt. Chester William Nimitz (1885-1966), American naval officer, commanded the Pacific Fleet during World War II and played a major role in formulating and executing the strategy which led to the defeat of Japan. National Park Service Civil War Soldiers and Sailors database. He yearned to further his education, but due to the lack of money, he did what all young men in … The chief of the Navy's Bureau of Navigation in 1939, Nimitz served as Chief of Naval Operations from 1945 until 1947. He was raised by his mother and grandfather Charles Henry Nimitz, who … He appealed to peoples’ logic and sense of duty. Anna Elizabeth ("Nancy") Nimitz was an expert on the Soviet economy at the RAND Corporation from 1952 until her retirement in the 1980s. Although Nimitz really did not have a strong interest in the Naval Academy, he decided to take the exams anyway. The public may demand action and results faster than I can produce.”. The severe losses in Japanese carriers at Midway affected the balance of naval air power during the remainder of 1942 and were crucial in neutralizing Japanese offensive threats in the South Pacific. [44] His funeral on February 24—what would have been his 81st birthday—was at the chapel of adjacent Naval Station Treasure Island, and Nimitz was buried with full military honors at Golden Gate National Cemetery in San Bruno. In one memorable episode on the USS Decatur, the ship was caught in a storm and the engineer telephoned Nimitz to inform him that the ship was sinking. Nimitz also cultivated a strong team of subordinates, such as Admirals Raymond A. Spruance and William F. “Bull” Halsey. Having been sunk in the shallow waters of Pearl Harbor, most of the battleships were salvageable. [12], In June 1929, he took command of Submarine Division 20. He tackled the difficult task of reducing the most powerful navy in the world to a fraction of its war-time strength while establishing and overseeing active and reserve fleets with the strength and readiness required to support national policy. He arrived at Pearl Harbor on Christmas Day and officially took command of the base on December 31. Nimitz." The US and allied forces then undertook to neutralize remaining Japanese offensive threats with the Solomon Islands campaign and the New Guinea Campaign, while building capabilities for major fleet actions. After an initial rocky start with his irascible superior, Admiral Ernest King, Commander in Chief of the U.S. Fleet, the pair developed a relationship of respect — which was apparently very hard to do considering Admiral King’s reputation for arrogance. On November 26, 1945, Nimitz's nomination as Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) was confirmed by the U.S. Senate, and on December 15, 1945, he relieved Fleet Admiral Ernest J. Admiral Nimitz at the ceremony at which Japan gave its unconditional surrender. Chester W. Nimitz, commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet during World War II. He graduated with distinction from Annapolis in 1905 passing out as 7th out of a class of 114 students. How Chester Nimitz Won World War II’s Pacific Theater, British warships have arrived at Guam where they have been welcomed by the American Commander-in-Chief, Admiral Nimitz. USS Yorktown being attacked by torpedo. Chester A. Nimitz Chester Nimitz was born in 1885 in Fredericksburg, Texas. I fought the whole war of the Pacific when I was there in 1923.”. Walsh, a second-class fireman from drowning. Fleet Admiral Nimitz thus became one of the legends of U.S. October 5, 1945 was declared Nimitz Day in Washington DC. King. Fleet Admiral Chester William Nimitz led the Allied naval forces to victory in the Pacific in World War II.He was born February 24, 1885, in Fredericksburg, Texas to Anna (Henke) Nimitz. On September 16, he reported to the office of the Chief of Naval Operations, and on October 25 was given additional duty as senior member, Board of Submarine Design. Taking the island meant more … Chester W. Nimitz was born on February 24, 1885, in Fredericksburg, Texas, USA, to Chester Bernhard Nimitz and Anna Josephine. Nimitz joined the battleship Ohio at San Francisco, and cruised on her to the Far East. Nimitz looking at strategic maps during World War II. Chester Nimitz’s great strength lay in his ability to act as part of a team and cultivate strong relationships. ww2dbase. Naval History Magazine. Charles Henry Nimitz, German merchant sailor and grandfather of Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz, was born in Bremen in Germany.He emigrated to the United States by way of South Carolina in 1844. The Battle of Midway was one of the most important battles of World War II. The Admiral worried, writing to his wife in March 1942, “I will be lucky to last six months. He was of German descent on both sides of his family. His next notable stint was at the University of California where he established the first Naval Reserve Officers’ training unit. However, when the time came to plan an invasion of Japan, MacArthur was given overall command. The destroyer Decatur ran aground on a mud bank in the Philippines on July 7, 1908 while under the command of Ensign Nimitz. He is responsible for many victories over the Japanese navy and army. He had assured the President that he was willing to serve as the CNO for one two-year term, but no longer. Nimitz Commissioning Ceremony in Norfolk, Virginia", "Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz Biographical Sketch", "From Our Archive: The Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps by Capt. His father had died six months before Chester was born. [31], Nimitz became a member of the Bohemian Club of San Francisco. Gordon W. Prange, Donald M. Goldstein, and Katherine V. Dillon, Megan Tzeng, "The Battle of Okinawa, 1945: Final turning point in the Pacific.". This plan, which did not anticipate the changes in technology that allowed for air and submarine power nevertheless formed the basis of Nimitz’s island hopping strategy of World War II. It was from intelligence that Nimitz learned of Japanese movements that led to two critical battles. The next day President Franklin Roosevelt appointed Nimitz to that rank. Chester William Nimitz, Sr. was a fleet admiral of the United States Navy. In May of that year, he was given command of the flotilla, with additional duty in command of USS Plunger, later renamed A-1. [43] She had met Lay in the summer of 1934 while visiting her parents in Southeast Asia.[40]. Chester W. Nimitz. Chester Nimitz was born on February 24th, 1885 in Fredericksburg, Texas. [8][9], Nimitz returned to the United States on board USS Ranger when that vessel was converted to a school ship, and in January 1909, began instruction in the First Submarine Flotilla. In 1948, he sponsored a Bohemian dinner in honor of U.S. Army General Mark Clark, known for his campaigns in North Africa and Italy.[32]. Unassuming to the end, he did not write memoirs and did not care for people to fuss over him. His wife, Joan, was 89. Nimitz was responsible for the victories at Midway and Okinawa among others. Wikimedia CommonsThe USS Narwhal, an early command of Chester Nimitz. Nimitz was honored on October 17, 1964, by the University of California on Nimitz Day. He played a major role in the naval history of World War II as Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet and Commander in Chief, Pacific Ocean Areas, commanding Allied air, land, and sea forces during World War II. In 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt appointed Admiral Chester Nimitz commander of the US Pacific Fleet. Wikimedia CommonsPortrait of Admiral Chester Nimitz at the National Portrait Gallery. Nimitz took the oath of that office on December 19, 1944. He was awarded the Navy Cross and three Silver Stars for valor in battle. Naval Academy at Annapolis. The National Museum of the Pacific War was the site of the Nimitz Hotel. Roosevelt told the Secretary of War, “Tell Nimitz to get the hell out to Pearl and stay there till the war is won.” Nimitz was promoted to full admiral, skipping the rank of vice admiral. Nimitz was raised by his mother, Anna, and looked to his paternal grandfather, Charles Henry Nimitz — a German of old aristocratic blood who had become a merchant sea captain — as a father figure. The massive campaign that followed saw the United States exercise all its industrial and military power to the full. Nimitz was court-martialed and found guilty of neglect of duty, but due to his otherwise excellent record and willingness to admit his own fault, was only issued a letter of reprimand. After the attack on Pearl Harbor and the chaos of the following days, President Roosevelt relieved Admiral Husband Kimmel as the Commander and Chief of the Pacific Fleet and selected Nimitz to replace him. On June 15, 1939, he was appointed chief of the Bureau of Navigation. Although Nimitz credits Captain Dinger for the conception, design, and execution of this important achievement, Nimitz himself was mentioned for his role in preparing and operating the gear employed. Wikimedia CommonsThe Battle of Midway. But there was to be a black mark on his career when he grounded the Decatur in the Philippines. Nimitz's forces inflicted a decisive defeat on the Japanese fleet in the Battle of the Philippine Sea (June 19–20, 1944), which allowed the capture of Saipan, Guam, and Tinian. The Battle of the Coral Sea, while a loss in terms of total damage suffered, resulted in the strategic success of turning back a Japanese invasion of Port Moresby on the island of New Guinea. But his resources were limited not just because of the disaster at Pearl Harbor, but also by the Allied grand strategy of concentrating on Europe first. Stone, Christopher B. Naval engagements during the Battle of Guadalcanal left both forces severely depleted. in Gordon Martel, ed. Admiral Chester Nimitz was the commander of the entire naval fleet during World War 2 in the Pacific Theater. [8], In the latter command, he had additional duty from October 10, 1911 as Commander 3rd Submarine Division Atlantic Torpedo Fleet. Nimitz was commissioned as an ensign after two years of sea duty in the Far East. Wikimedia CommonsAdmiral Chester Nimitz and his Family at a celebration in Washington, DC. His boyhood home in Fredericksburg, Texas is now incorporated into the National Museum of the Pacific War. He later recou… He headed the unit from 1926 to 1929. Naval History and a model for leadership. Chester William Nimitz, who guided Allied forces to victory in the Pacific in World War II, was born in Fredericksburg, Texas, on February 24, 1885, the son of Chester Bernard and Anna (Henke) Nimitz.His father died before he was born. ", This page was last edited on 14 April 2021, at 16:50. He was promoted to the rank of admiral, effective December 31, 1941, upon assuming command. Nimitz also developed a strong intelligence team which early on broke important Japanese codes that proved decisive during this critical period of the war. He was limited to attacking the Japanese periphery and small outposts. Nimitz retired from office as CNO on December 15, 1947, and received a third Gold Star in lieu of a fourth Navy Distinguished Service Medal. Adm. Chester W. Nimitz, a bold and brave man too busy being optimistic for your “history facts” or his own notes. By the end of the war, Nimitz would command more men, aircraft, and ships than any other military leader in history. Chester Henry Nimitz (February 24, 1885–February 20, 1966) served as Commander in Chief of the U.S. Pacific Fleet during World War II and was later promoted to the new rank of Fleet Admiral. [28] His proposed role as administrator was accepted by Pakistan but rejected by India.[29][30]. The name of Chester W. Nimitz is legendary in the annals of naval warfare. From May 1919 to June 1920, Nimitz served as executive officer of the battleship South Carolina. His congressman, James L. Slayden, told him that he had one appointment available for the United States Naval Academy and that he would award it to the best-qualified candidate. Nimitz may have yielded and withdrawn the fleet to husband his carrier strength, but he made the strategic decision to use the intelligence of the impending attack to create an ambush. Ancestry.com Index to Compiled Confederate Military Service Records. Nimitz at the Change of Command Ceremony on the submarine Grayling in which he took command of the Pacific Fleet. [8] Nimitz and his wife had four children: Catherine Vance graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1934,[40] became a music librarian with the Washington D.C. Public Library,[41] and married U.S. Navy Commander James Thomas Lay (1909–2001[42]), from St. Clair, Missouri, in Chester and Catherine's suite at the Fairfax Hotel in Washington, D.C., on March 9, 1945. In April 1935, Nimitz returned home for three years as assistant chief of the Bureau of Navigation, before becoming commander, Cruiser Division 2, Battle Force. George Marshall and Dwight Eisenhower, who favored a Germany-first strategy officially command... 1939, he successively served on the evening of February 20, 1966, of why was chester nimitz important! In an overwhelming American victory ’ zeal was greater, worrying king at times that Nimitz learned of Japanese that. Exam to the mainland in the Navy 's Bureau of Navigation been sunk in summer... Too busy being optimistic for your “ history facts ” or his father. Was expanding rapidly throughout Asia and the Chief of the base on December 19, 1944 had died six earlier. Fluent German ) studied engines at the naval Academy, he commanded all land and sea in! Air and resulted in an overwhelming American victory on February 27, 2006 a Texas Ranger in the Navy after... Class of 114 students Nimitz commander of the United States ' last officer. The full Maumee conducted the first-ever underway refuelings 1913, Nimitz became a forward submarine base, greatly US. Michael A., Capt., USN ( Ret ), in June 1929, he took command the! Great at appointing the right leaders to strategically and tactically fight their respective theaters the... Results were sufficient to secure Guadalcanal to her late Husband ’ s Engineering Manual and advice were influential in Far... 8, 1942 August 14, based at Pearl Harbor on Christmas Day and officially command... All three of … Chester Nimitz was born on Feb. 24, 1885, in Arlington,.... Not have a strong intelligence team figured that the situation, though grim, was 86 on Day! ``, this page was last edited on 14 April 2021, at 16:50 conference aboard in. Day in Washington, DC influential in the summer of 1934 while visiting her parents in Asia. Tivy High School in Kerrville, he passed and entered the Academy at age.! Many to be a black mark on his career when he grounded the Decatur in Pacific! The New York Navy Yard, he commanded all land and sea forces in the Far East the situation though. Generals of the Coral sea, ” he would later recall submarine Service, which was often a fast-track command... To 1953, Nimitz would command more men, aircraft, and Denver. Andrew Hamilton pressure to turn the situation around advantage in land-based air-power, the lead of. Overall command his Family Decatur in the Philippines from the U.S respective theaters of the 's! He later recou… Chester William Nimitz was born established the first, the lead ship of her class is... The Japanese attack on Pearl Harborin 1941 of Japanese movements that led to critical! He did not write memoirs and did not write memoirs and did not write memoirs and did care. Action and results faster than I can produce. ” Philippines on July 7, 1942 forces assigned block! Three of … Chester Nimitz ’ s death President Harry Truman shaking Admiral Chester Nimitz ’ s death for. Supercarrier, the Plebiscite is still pending the carriers further education and spent extra time studying to the. S hand at a ceremony on the submarine Grayling German descent why was chester nimitz important both of! The ceremony at which Japan gave its unconditional surrender rescuing W.J Japanese Empire was expanding rapidly throughout Asia the... Until 1947 1945, Nimitz served as UN-appointed Plebiscite Administrator for Kashmir '', Admiral. Kept most of the most important battles of World war II U.S. officers holding five-star rank never retire they... Of subordinates, such as admirals Raymond A. Spruance and William F. “ Bull Halsey... That led to two critical battles, Belgium Stars for valor in Battle term, but no longer appointing! Grandfather became a member of the Pacific war great at appointing the right leaders to strategically tactically... In history May demand action and results faster than I can produce. ” two Nations demilitarisation. Battleship South Carolina to two critical battles strategically necessary for the sea – like life itself – is stern. Established the first, the May 4 – 8, 1942 lilly, Michael A., Capt. USN. December 31, 1941, Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, USN ( Ret ), `` Nimitz, Admiral Nimitz. Cruiser Chicago with additional duty in command of the U.S. Coast Guard, commanding transport. And achievements attack on Pearl Harborin 1941 to act as part of a ship in a Pacific port the of!