Chester W. Nimitz (24 Feb. 1885 - 20Feb. 1966)
Nimitz was appointed Commander in Chief of the US Pacific Fleet days after Pearl Harbour, and also became Admiral. Unusually, he took command aboard a submarine – usually the ceremony would take place on a battleship, but all of these had been damaged at Pearl Harbour. Despite the casualties from the Japanese attack, Nimitz successfully managed to stop their continuing advance.
Later, in March 1942, Nimitz was appointed Commander in Chief of Pacific Ocean Areas, one of the three divisions of the Pacific theatre. In this role he had control of all Allied units in that area. He managed to defeat the Japanese navy in the Solomon Islands campaign, Battle of the Coral Sea and the Battle of Midway. In December 1944, Nimitz became Fleet Admiral of the United States Navy.
Near the end of the war, Nimitz further defeated the Japanese, capturing Guam and Tinian, attacking the Mariana Islands, the Battle for Leyte Gulf, and the infamous assaults on Iwo Jima and Okinawa. In September, Nimitz signed on behalf of the United States on the USS Missouri to end World War II.
For more information on Chester W. Nimitz:
Potter, E.B. Nimitz (Annapolis: Naval Institute Press), 1976.
Later, in March 1942, Nimitz was appointed Commander in Chief of Pacific Ocean Areas, one of the three divisions of the Pacific theatre. In this role he had control of all Allied units in that area. He managed to defeat the Japanese navy in the Solomon Islands campaign, Battle of the Coral Sea and the Battle of Midway. In December 1944, Nimitz became Fleet Admiral of the United States Navy.
Near the end of the war, Nimitz further defeated the Japanese, capturing Guam and Tinian, attacking the Mariana Islands, the Battle for Leyte Gulf, and the infamous assaults on Iwo Jima and Okinawa. In September, Nimitz signed on behalf of the United States on the USS Missouri to end World War II.
For more information on Chester W. Nimitz:
Potter, E.B. Nimitz (Annapolis: Naval Institute Press), 1976.