Nimitz (CVN 68) - Naval Cruise Book

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Chester W. Nimitz was born in Fredricksburg, Texas on Feb. 24, 1885. He was appointed to the U. S. Naval Academy in 1901. His graduation with distinc- - tion from that institution in 1905 began a career unparalleled in the annals of naval history. Just after Pearl Harbor, December 31, 1941, Admiral Nimitz was named Commander-in- . Chief, U. S. Pacific Fleet. The rank of Fleet Admiral of the United States Navy was established by an Act of Congress and approved on December 14, 1944. The next day the President of the United States nominated and, with the advice and consent of the Senate, appointed Admiral N imitz to that rank. Admiral Nimitz was pre- sented the Distinguished Service Medal, awarded by the President of the United States in the name of Congress. The citation accompanying this award best describes his contribu- tion to important Pacific actions: For exceptionally meritori- ous service to the govemmenmt of the United States in a duty of great responsibility as Corrunander-in-Chief of the Pacific Fleet since December , I 1941. At the most crucial ,period of - i the present war in the Pacific, 'Admiral Nimitz assumed command of that area and, despite thedosses at Pearl Harbor and the tragic shortage offve's's,els, n planes and supplies, organized.-his ' if V forces and carried on a defensive 9 attack which halted the Japanese advance. As rapidly as personnel, ships 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 the enemy in the Coral Sea, off Midway, and occupy the Gilbert and Marshall 1slands... Admiral Nimitz was also awarded the Distinguished Seivice Medal by the Navy Department, for 2 it exceptional meritorious service as X Commander-in-Chief, U. S. Pacific Fleet... . On October 5, 1945, which 1 had been officially designated Nimitz Day in Washington, D.C., Admiral Nimitz was personally presented a Gold Star in lieu of a ' third Distinguished Service Medal by the President of the United States. ' On November 26, 1945, his nomination as Chief of Naval Operations was confirmed by the Senate. He took office December 15, 1945 and was awarded another Gold Star in lieu of a fourth Distinguished Service Medal. On December 15, 1947, he was detached as Chief of Naval Operations, and reported as Special Assistant to the Secretary of the Navy in the Westem Sea Frontier, January l, 1948. The brilliant career of the famous Fleet Admiral ended with his death in San Francisco on February 20, 1966. RIGHT: Passed Midshipman Chester W. Nimitz, USN, is shown with his grandfather, who greatly influenced his Navy career. i 1 X -,......, ruuASuvc1211 i1C1I1C cum ith Lt R MGEN R,K, , h mil , d MGEN M.F. Harmon, USA, in 1942 in Nimirz' Pearl Harboiy Office.0 D Suther1and,USA'VADMR0bertL G O ey an 'x 1 1 1 2 , 1 l J 4 l

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f ,, UPPER LEFT: FADM Chester W. Nimitz on August 10, 1945. ABOVE: FADM Chester W. Nimitz reviews a chart of Japan in 1945. LEFT! FADM Chester W. Nimitz signs the Japanese surrender document aboard the USS Missouri September 2, 1945, bringing World War II officially to a close.