Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz - Leadership of the Pacific Fleet

The United States would not have won the Battle of Midway if not for Admiral Nimitz’s leadership. The events of December 7th, 1941 had far more consequences besides forcing the United States into war with Imperial Japan. As a result of the devastating attack on the US Navy and Army installations at Pearl Harbor, many officers in both services were relieved. The perception was that they were unable to protect US forces in Hawaii, and should not be in command. One of these unfortunate officers was Admiral Husband E. Kimmel, Commander of the US Pacific Fleet. His replacement, Admiral Chester Nimitz, would redefine naval warfare in the Pacific Theater, culminating at the Japanese surrender in Tokyo Bay.

Admiral Nimitz attended the US Naval Academy just prior to World War I, and choosing submarine duty, recognized the devastation caused by German U-boats on Allied shipping. He rose through the ranks, and was not a very well-known or distinguished officer, until he was selected to lead the Pacific Fleet. His job was not simple; to take a ravaged navy and make it operational, and wage war upon the Japanese Navy. In mid-1942, he did just that. First, it was the Battle of Coral Sea, then later, at the pivotal Battle of Midway. These victories made Nimitz a household name, both in and outside of the navy. It gave hope to the American public that the United States was indeed fighting back.

One important aspect of Nimitz’s command style was that he was unwilling to “clear house” of Admiral Kimmel’s staff after he was in command. He kept virtually all of the staff that had been there at Pearl Harbor. Many historians feel this simple act of trust ensured that his staff would work tirelessly to support their new commander, as well as provide constructive criticism. The burgeoning intelligence field, especially naval cryptography, was a favorite tool to Nimitz. He oversaw the work and eventual breaking of the Japanese JN-25 code that ultimately gave Midway as an impending target.

Nimitz would command the Pacific Fleet until the end of the war. In concert with General Douglas MacArthur, U.S.A, they would take the war to Japan’s front yard. On September 2, 1945, on the quarterdeck of his flagship, U.S.S Missouri, Nimitz signed the formal surrender documents, as representative for the United States. He was recalled to Washington, DC, where he received his third Distinguished Service Medal. He was subsequently awarded one of the rare “5th stars”, and was named an “Admiral of the Fleet.” Nimitz was also invested by Great Britain in the The Most Honourable Military Order of the Bath, as a Knight Grand Cross (GCB), for his leadership of the Pacific Fleet in World War II. He served as Chief of Naval Operations until 1947 and then technically retired, although an admiral awarded a fifth star is considered active duty until death, with full pay and benefits.

In an interesting aside, Admiral Nimitz submitted an affidavit in defense of German Grand Admiral Karl Dönitz, stating the use of “unrestricted submarine warfare” was a practice he himself had used in the Pacific Theater. It is widely thought this is why Dönitz only received ten years imprisonment at the Nuremburg War Crimes trial in 1947. After his release from prison in 1957, Nimitz even visited Dönitz.