Chester W. Nimitz

United States Navy fleet admiral (1885-1966) · United States · Historical Figures · Died at 80

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He commanded the entire Pacific theatre for the United States in World War II - every ship, every plane, every beachhead from Pearl Harbor to Tokyo Bay.

Historical Figures Other United States Americas 20th Century

A life in dates

1966Died20 February 19661945Honorary Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the BathAward1944“Is the proposed operation likely to succeed? What might be the consequences of failure? Is it in the realm of practicability in terms of matériel and supplies?”In their words10 July 1944"Three favorite rules of thumb" Nimitz had printed on a card he kept on his desk, as quoted in LIFE magazine (10 July 1944)Read the whole statement

1942“Through the skill and devotion to duty of their armed forces of all branches in the Midway area our citizens can now rejoice that a momentous victory is in the making.”In their words6 June 1942After the Battle of Midway, CINCPAC Communiqué No. 3, (6 June 1942)Read the whole statement

“Well, you were only five miles, five degrees, and five minutes off.”In their words4 June 1942On the accuracy of Edwin Layton's prediction of where Japanese forces would be prior to the Battle of Midway, June 4, 1942. Quoted by theRead the whole statement

1941“Naval fleets probably never again will fight in full force... No government today can afford to run the risk of staking its entire naval force on a single battle.”In their wordsAs quoted in Time magazine, Volume XXXVII (1941), p. 18Read the whole statement

1940“A ship is always referred to as "she" because it costs so much to keep her in paint and powder.”In their words13 February 1940Remarks to the Society of Sponsors, U.S. Navy, 13 February 1940Read the whole statement

1922“The enemy of our games was always Japan, and the courses were so thorough that after the start of World War II, nothing that happened in the Pacific was strange or unexpected.”In their wordsOn his training for warfare in the Pacific at the Naval War college in 1922, as quoted at The American Experience (PBS)Read the whole statement

1885Born24 February 1885

Also in Deutsch

Photos 8

Chester Nimitz-fleet-admiral

"Get'em out for your Navy" - NARA - 514357

"Holland Smith's 61st Birthday, -at- Pearl Harbor with Chester Nimitz, 1943" (48233214096)

"I urge all Navy personnel to 'Save Today for Tomorrow'" - NARA - 514565

Photograph evidently taken from top of Washington Monument, of crowd assembled below for ceremonies honoring Admiral... - NARA - 199207

208-PU-70A-5 (25519789483)

208-PU-70A-6 (26096490126)

66-50-D Medal, Badge, Italy, Knight Grand Cross of the Military Order of Italy

In their own words 10

Chester W. Nimitz

10 statements, newest first

Is the proposed operation likely to succeed? What might be the consequences of failure? Is it in the realm of practicability in terms of matériel and supplies?
Jul 10, 1944, "Three favorite rules of thumb" Nimitz had printed on a card he kept on his desk, as quoted in LIFE magazine (10 July 1944), Own words
Through the skill and devotion to duty of their armed forces of all branches in the Midway area our citizens can now rejoice that a momentous victory is in the making.
Jun 6, 1942, After the Battle of Midway, CINCPAC Communiqué No. 3, (6 June 1942), Own words
Well, you were only five miles, five degrees, and five minutes off.
Jun 4, 1942, On the accuracy of Edwin Layton's prediction of where Japanese forces would be prior to the Battle of Midway, June 4, 1942. Quoted by the, Own words

Wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0

Awards

Honorary Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath1945

Officer of the Legion of Honour

Grand Cross of the Order of the Crown

World War II Victory Medal

Navy Distinguished Service Medal

Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal

American Campaign Medal

National Defense Service Medal

Order of the Liberator General San Martín

Distinguished Service Medal

Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour

Order of Orange-Nassau

Military Order of Italy

Order of George I

National Order of Merit Carlos Manuel de Céspedes

Order of Naval Merit

World War I Victory Medal (United States)

Philippine Liberation Medal

In their orbit

Child: Chester Nimitz, Jr.

About this person

Chester William Nimitz was born 24 February 1885 and became the Navy's leading authority on submarines, qualifying early and later driving the shift from gasoline to diesel propulsion. Beginning in 1917, he developed underway replenishment techniques that would let fleets operate indefinitely without returning to port - the system that made Pacific island-hopping possible. He served as chief of the Bureau of Navigation from 1939 to 1942, then took command as Commander in Chief of the US Pacific Fleet and Pacific Ocean Areas, directing all Allied air, land, and sea forces through the war. After victory he became chief of naval operations from 1945 to 1947, and later secured approval for the world's first nuclear-powered submarine, USS Nautilus, which made diesel boats obsolete. He died 20 February 1966, the last surviving US fleet admiral.

Country

United States

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