Nimitz << NIHM ihts >>, Chester William (1885-1966), served as commander in chief of the United States Pacific Fleet during World War II (1939-1945). He took command on Dec. 31, 1941, about three weeks after the fleet had been almost completely disabled in the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
Admiral Nimitz painstakingly rebuilt U.S. strength in the Pacific. As commander of the Pacific Fleet and the Pacific Ocean Areas, he directed the Navy and the Marine Corps forces. His calm assurance of final victory helped restore the faith of the Navy in its own power and ability.
In early 1942, Nimitz refused to attack before U.S. forces were fully ready, in spite of angry questions from Congress and newspapers. He waited until he had enough ships, supplies, and troops to assure victory. Nimitz developed much of the strategy of island hopping (seizing only key islands from which attacks on other key islands could be launched). Nimitz gave the orders that led to the Battle of Midway, in which U.S. forces destroyed four Japanese aircraft carriers. He led the Pacific Fleet to many victories until it drove the Japanese back to Japan. He was promoted to fleet admiral in 1944. Nimitz signed for the United States at the Japanese surrender ceremonies in Tokyo Bay in 1945. See World War II (The war in Asia and the Pacific).
After the war, Nimitz became chief of naval operations. He left active duty in December 1947 and then became special assistant to the secretary of the Navy. Nimitz headed the United Nations commission that mediated the dispute over Kashmir in 1949.
Nimitz was born on Feb. 24, 1885, in Fredericksburg, Texas, and graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1905. He died on Feb. 20, 1966.
