Admiral Chester Nimitz: America’s 6th Top General.
America’s Finest 11 Commanders: Chester W. Nimitz, 1885 – 1966 (World War II)
Throughout history, the United States has produced numerous remarkable generals and admirals. However, only a select few have truly stood out as world-class strategists and leaders of troops. As Veterans Day approaches on November 11, it is important to remember and celebrate these exceptional individuals. Here is my list of America’s finest 11 commanders.
Chester W. Nimitz, 1885 – 1966 (World War II)
Few admirals in history have faced a more daunting and unenviable mission than Admiral Chester Nimitz. In December of 1941, he took command of a decimated Pacific Fleet in the aftermath of the devastating attack on Pearl Harbor. The wreckage left behind was a stark reminder of the destruction and loss of life inflicted by the surprise Japanese assault. With the rampaging Japanese forces sweeping across the Pacific, Nimitz was left with a fleet in ruins and a seemingly invincible enemy to contend with.
Admiral Chester Nimitz. Courtesy: Naval History and Heritage Command.
Nimitz, however, possessed the right combination of background, personality, intellect, and confidence to tackle this immense challenge. Despite calls for a major shake-up after the Pearl Harbor debacle, Nimitz chose to retain his predecessor Admiral Husband E. Kimmel and most of his team, encouraging them to learn from their mistakes. Arriving in Hawaii three weeks after the attack, the determined admiral set about rebuilding the fleet and turning the tide of the war.
Admiral Chester William Nimitz (1885 – 1966, centre), the Commander-in-Chief of the US Pacific Fleet, takes a ride around Pearl Harbor in Hawaii with his aides-de-camp, in a jeep presented to the fleet by the Hawaiian department of the US Army in honour of their naval victory at Midway Island, January 1942. (Photo by Three Lions/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
The first major test for the new Commander in Chief Pacific Fleet Headquarters came from his Navy codebreakers. They alerted Nimitz of two impending Japanese operations: one to capture Port Moresby on New Guinea near the Coral Sea, and the other on Midway Island. Nimitz remained unfazed by the challenges ahead. Dispatching a task force led by his available carriers, Lexington and Yorktown, he aimed to prevent the Japanese landings on Port Moresby. The Battle of the Coral Sea in May 1942, the first naval battle fought entirely by aircraft, resulted in a tactical draw but successfully thwarted the Japanese invasion plans.
CINCPAC staff, May 1944. Courtesy of Fleet Admiral Nimitz. Naval History and Heritage Command.
However, the real showdown awaited Nimitz in June 1942. A massive flotilla of Japanese warships was heading towards the tiny Midway Atoll. Admiral Yamamoto Isoroku, Nimitz’s Japanese nemesis, planned to lure the U.S. Pacific Fleet out of Pearl Harbor with a surprise attack on Midway. Nimitz, armed with the knowledge provided by his codebreakers, devised his own ambush. With his calm and firm demeanor, he made critical decisions, including the urgent repair of the heavily damaged Yorktown. Within seventy-two hours, the carrier was ready for battle, joining Hornet and Enterprise for the surprise attack. Nimitz also reinforced Midway’s defenses with every available aircraft and ammunition.
Commanding from Hawaii, Nimitz instructed his subordinates at sea to take calculated risks and seize opportunities to strike the enemy. His confidence in his subordinates and intelligence staff proved invaluable. The Battle of Midway on June 4, 1942, saw Navy and Marine fliers decimate Yamamoto’s fleet carriers, marking a stunning turning point in naval warfare. Nimitz’s strategic brilliance and ability to effectively manage a vast naval ensemble propelled the U.S. closer to victory.
Grumman TBF-1 Avenger anti-submarine torpedo plane in flight over the Pacific, 1944 or 1945. The Avenger made its maiden flight on August 1, 1941 and participated in the battle of Midway (June 1942). (Photo by: Photo12/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
Under Nimitz’s leadership, the U.S. forces continued their offensive in the Pacific. Through a series of island hopping campaigns, Nimitz brought the fight closer to mainland Japan while systematically destroying the Imperial Japanese Navy. Despite some strategic missteps, such as the costly battle for Peleliu, Nimitz’s ability to grasp the complexities of the theater and effectively delegate command made him one of the most successful naval commanders in American history.
American military commander Admiral (and later Fleet Admiral) Chester William Nimitz (1885 – 1966) discusses strategy for the Gilbert and Marshall Islands campaign with two unidentified others, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, October 1943. (Photo by PhotoQuest/Getty Images)
Nimitz’s understanding of the Japanese enemy and his relaxed yet confident approach to command set him apart. He frequently visited the combat zones to gain firsthand knowledge of the challenges faced by his men and consult with his admirals. His leadership and strategic acumen played a crucial role in the ultimate victory over Japan.
2nd September 1945: US Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz signs surrender documents recognizing the defeat of Japan as officials and soldiers look on, USS Missouri, Tokyo Bay, Japan, World War II. General Douglas MacArthur (left), Admiral William F. Halsey (centre), and Rear Admiral Forrest P. Sherman stand behind Nimitz. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
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America’s Top 11 Generals
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Brad Schaeffer is a commodities trader, columnist, and author of two acclaimed novels. His newest book, the fact-based LIFE IN THE PITS: My Time as a Trader on the Rough-and-Tumble Exchange Floors, will be published in December and is currently available for pre-order. You can also find more of Brad’s articles on Substack.
The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.
How did Admiral Chester W. Nimitz contribute to the reconstruction and democratization of Japan after World War II?
The end of World War II onboard the battleship USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay, Japan. (Photo by Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images)
Admiral Chester W. Nimitz’s contributions to the war effort did not end with the surrender of Japan. He played a vital role in the post-war period, overseeing the reconstruction and democratization of Japan as Commander in Chief of the U.S. Pacific Fleet and as the United Nations’ Security Council member. Nimitz’s legacy extends beyond the war itself, as his leadership and strategic brilliance continue to inspire military commanders to this day.
American Fleet Admiral Chester William Nimitz (1885 – 1966) is greeted by a civilian munitions worker during his visit to Portland, Oregon, during the Third War Loan Drive, in September 1943. (Photo by PhotoQuest/Getty Images)
Admiral Chester W. Nimitz unquestionably
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