Nimitz (CVAN 68) - Naval Cruise Book

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,,.,,. ..... ,,,,,,,.,,,,...,..T..,,,,,,,,,,,,.,.........,,..,..,-.......t...4.-q-1-umm.-,..-f-11-,.,...4,5 ,...,-.-,,,,..,v:-5... qs., ,.,.. -..-...T , ...,---as--Qf.,,. ,.. f-iw.. .vw-M - -4-rg-r--as -....-. 5'-41-fu Admiral Nimitz was presented the Distinguished Service Medal, awarded in the name of Congress by the President of the United States. The citation accompanying this award best describes his contribution to important Pacific actions: For exceptionally meritorious service to the Government of the United States in a duty of great responsibility as Commander in Chief of the Pacific Fleet since December 31, 1941. At the most critical period of the present war in the Pacific, Admiral Nimitz assumed command in that area and, despite the losses at Pearl Harbor and the tragic shortage of vessels, planes and supplies, organized his forces and carried on defensive warfare which halted the japanese advance. As rapidly as ships, personnel and material became available, he shifted from defensive to offensive warfare and, by his brilliant leadership and outstanding skill as a strategist, enabled the units under his command to defeat th.e enemy in the Coral Sea, off Midway, and in the Solomon Islands, and to capture and occupy the Gilbert and Marshall Islands . . .H Admiral Nimitz was also awarded the Distinguished Service Medal by the Navy Department,for exceptionally meritorious service as Commander in Chief, U. S. Pacific Fleet . . .U The citation states that his conduct of the operations of the Pacific Fleet, resulting in successful actions against the enemy in the Coral Sea, May 1942, and off Midway Island, fune 1942, was characterized by unfailing judgment and sound decision, completed with skill and vigor . . .H Another highlight in the career of Fleet Admiral Nimitz was his participation as one of the signers for the United States when Japan formally signed the surrender terms aboard the battleship USS MISSOURI in Tokyo Bay. On October 5, 1945, which had been officially designated as Nimitz Day in Washington, D.C., Admiral Nimitz was personally presented a Cold Star in lieu of the third Distinguished Service Medal by the President of the United States for exceptionally meritorious service as Commander in Chief, TU. S. Pacific Fleet and Pacific Ocean Areas, from June 1944 to August I945. On November 26, 1945, his nomination to be Chief of Naval Operations for a term of two years was confirmed by the Senate. He hauled down his flag at Pearl Harbor and on December 15, 1945, relieved Fleet Admiral Ernest 1. King as Chief of Naval Operations. He was awarded the Cold Star in lieu ofa fourth Distinguished Service Medal. On December 15, 1947, he was detached as Chief of Naval Operations and ordered to San Francisco for duty as directed by the Secretary of the Navy. On january 1, 1948, he reported as Special Assistant to the Secretary of the Navy in the Western Sea Frontier, and served in an advisory capacity, assisting in other matters pertaining to the Navy and his government when called upon. The brilliant career of the famous Fleet Admiral ended with his death in San Francisco on February 20, 1966. Jfffigyhi The signing of the contract for the construction of United States Ship NIMITZ.

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Fleet Admiral Chester W Nimitz Chester William Nimitz was born in Fredericksburg, Texas, on February 24, 1885. He was appointed to the U. S. Naval Academy in 1901. His graduation with distinction from that institution in 1905 began a career un- paralleled in the annals of naval history. Illustrative of his outstanding service to his country and the world were the conferrnent of the highest honors of the United States government, decorations and awards received from thirteen foreign governments, and honorary degrees conferred by nineteen American colleges and universities. On Iune 15, 1939, Admiral Nimitz was appointed Chief of the'Bureau of Navigation for a term of four years. Before the term was completed, however, the United States was at war, and on December 31, 1941, he became Commander in Chief, U. S. Pacific Fleet. On April 3, 1942, he also assumed the title of Commander in Chief, Pacific Ocean Areas. The rank of Fleet Admiral of the United States Navy was established by an Act of Congress approved on December 14, 1944. This highest grade inthe Navy was established for certain officers of the active list, and the next day the President of the United States nominated and, with the advice and consent of the Senate, appointed Admiral Nimitz to that rank. He accepted the appointment and took the oath of office on December 19, 1944. .signing Of me Japanese surrender document aboard USS MISSOURI in Tokyo Bay gjseptember 2 19-4?

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United States Navy Commanding Ufficer C t ' B W. C to , fr., holder of the Navy Cross, five Distinguished Flying Crosses, the Bronze Star Illedaljpfihig Aiilchllrledalsjyghid rlwo Navy Commendation Medals is the Comrnandin Officer of NIMITZ KCVAN-68 l. fl Captain Compton graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland, and was commissioned an Ensi n in .Iune 1951. H' ' d ' ' ' g is first uty assignment was in the escort carrier SICILY, deployed in the waters off Korea. Following that assignment, the Captain attended flight training and earned his wings as a Naval Aviator in May 1953. His first assignment as an aviator was with Support Squadron TWENTY-SEVEN, flying the Grumman CuardianW from the decks of the aircraft carriers KULA GULF, LEYTE and ANTIETAM. In February 1955, he reported to Attack Squadron THIR TY-FIVE stationed at Cecil Field, Florida. In VA-35, operating from the aircraft carrier TICONDEROGA and flying the Shyraider7,, Captain Compton served as Landing Signal Officer and Flight Officer. Following an assignment at the Naval Academy as an instructor in the Depart- ment of Electrical Engineering and as a student in jet transitional training at Olathe, Kansas, the Captain fthen Lieutenantj was assigned to Attach Squadron SIXTY-SIX where he flew the A4D 'CSIcyhawIt at Oceana, Virginia, and from the dech of the carrier INTREPID. He was then assigned to the Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, California, as a student. From Iuly 1963 to December 1965, Captain Compton served as Ordnance Officer in the nuclear powered carrier ENTERPRISE. After a brief tour with Attach Squadron FOR TY-FOUR for Air Wing Replacement Training and as Executive Officer in Attack S uadron SIXTY SIX b q - , a oard the aircraft carrier AMERICA, he reported to Attach Squadron ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-THREE as Executive Officer and later as Commanding Officer, serving in the carrier ORISKANY. In 1968 and 1969 Captain Com ton atte d d h N , p n e t e aval War College, Newport, Rhode Island. After graduation, he was assigned as Aircraft Projects Officer, Naval Weapons Evaluation Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico, and then underwent nuclear power training at Mare Island, California and Idaho Falls Idaho Prior to being assigned as Pros ective C d f' p ornman ing Ojficer of NIMITZ, the world7s largest uiarship, Captain Compton was the Commanding Officer of the Attach Cargo Ship EL PASO ' De h C . grees t e aptain has earned are an Associate of Science Degree from Marion Military Institute, located in his native state ofAlabamag Bachelor of Science Degree from the 'V ZA ' ' U I 1 ava cademy, and a Master of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, California. Captain Compton is married to the former Mar T l ' a y ay or of Huntsville, Alabama. With their four children, the Cornptons live in Virginia Beach, Virginia. ' ..1..,...-.,A--...........,....1..,.. --, ggL......................,...,... ...,f..---...?..Na-.s----f---.-.a-.-.. .-.N.,.,-...........-.....+...4.,,L,......,s.Q...1.......-,,..,, .. . V n Captain Bryan W Compton, Jr