Chester W. Nimitz

United States Navy fleet admiral (1885-1966)

Chester W. Nimitz was a fleet admiral in the United States Navy who played a crucial role in the naval history of World War II. He oversaw the development of submarines and underway replenishment techniques, and later became the Chief of Naval Operations. The USS Nimitz supercarrier is named after him, honoring his legacy.

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About the Chester W. Nimitz

Chester William Nimitzwas a fleet admiral in the United States Navy. He played a major role in the naval history of World War II as Commander in Chief, US Pacific Fleet, and Commander in Chief, Pacific Ocean Areas, commanding Allied air, land, and sea forces during World War II.

Nimitz was the leading US Navy authority on submarines. Qualified in submarines during his early years, he later oversaw the conversion of these vessels’ propulsion from gasoline to diesel, and then later was key in acquiring approval to build the world’s first nuclear-powered submarine, USS Nautilus, whose propulsion system later completely superseded diesel-powered submarines in the US. He also, beginning in 1917, was the Navy’s leading developer of underway replenishment techniques, the tool which during the Pacific war would allow the US fleet to operate away from port almost indefinitely. The chief of the Navy’s Bureau of Navigation in 1939, Nimitz served as Chief of Naval Operations from 1945 until 1947. He was the United States’ last surviving officer who served in the rank of fleet admiral. The USS Nimitz supercarrier, the lead ship of her class, is named after him.

Frequently Asked Questions

Chester W. Nimitz was a fleet admiral in the United States Navy who played a major role in the naval history of World War II as Commander in Chief of the US Pacific Fleet and Commander in Chief of the Pacific Ocean Areas.

Nimitz commanded Allied air, land, and sea forces in the Pacific during World War II, playing a crucial role in the naval history of the war.

Nimitz was the leading US Navy authority on submarines. He oversaw the conversion of submarine propulsion from gasoline to diesel, and was key in acquiring approval to build the world’s first nuclear-powered submarine, the USS Nautilus.

Nimitz was the Navy’s leading developer of underway replenishment techniques, which allowed the US fleet to operate away from port almost indefinitely during the Pacific war.

The USS Nimitz supercarrier, the lead ship of her class, is named after Chester W. Nimitz, honoring his significant contributions to the US Navy and naval history.