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Contact Info
Home Town Fredericksburg, TX
Last Address Yerba Buena Island, CA
Date of Passing Feb 20, 1966
Location of Interment Golden Gate National Cemetery (VA) - San Bruno, California
A defining characteristic of Admiral Nimitz's life was his devotion to the Navy. After the war, he was to remark, "Being a part of the Navy is honorable and soul-satisfying work." In 1913, Nimitz was sent to Germany to study diesel engines and upon his return was instrumental in supervising the building of engines for the Navy's first diesel-powered ship, the MAUMEE. Aware of Lt. Nimitz's skill, a leading American engineering firm, offered him a job for $25,000 a year (his Navy pay was $3,456 at the time. He refused the offer, preferring the "honorable, soul-satisfying" duties of a Naval Officer.
Because the rank of Fleet Admiral was a lifetime appointment, FADM Nimitz retired on Decmeber 15,1947 yet remained on the active rolls until his death in 1966.
Other Comments:
Decorations and awards from foreign governments include:
Britain - Order of Knight Grand Cross of the Bath
Greece - Grand Cross of the Order of George I
China - Order of the Grand Cordon of Pao Ting (Tripod) Special Class
Guatemala - LaCruz de Merito Military de Primera Clase
Great Britain - Pacific Star
The Netherlands - Order of Orange-Nassau with Swords in the Degree of
the Knight Grand Cross
France - Grand Officer in the National Order of the Legion of Honor
Cuba - Grand Cross of the Order of Carlos Manuel de Cespedes
Argentina - Order of the Liberator
Belgium - Grand Cross of the Order of the Liberator, Grand Cross Order of
the Crown with Palm, Croiz de Guerro with Palm
Italy - Knight of the Grand Cross of the Military Order of Italy
Philippines - Medal of Valor
Ecuador - Star of Abdon Calderson (1st Class)
Guam - On 14 June, the 315th held a special dedication ceremony at Northwest Field to honor Admiral Nimitz. Gen. Armstrong wanted the 315th to give special recognition and tribute to Admiral Nimitz and all the naval personnel who had given so much logistical support to build Northwest Field's airstrip. Therefore, the 315th readied a B-29B, named it the "Fleet Admiral Nimitz," and dedicated it to Admiral Nimitz at 1700 hours on Northwest Field's south taxi strip. General H. H. Arnold, who was in the area on an inspection tour, was the keynote speaker for the ceremony. In his remarks, Gen. Arnold referred to the dedicated B-29B as a "distinct manifestation of the gratitude and admiration of the 315th Wing and the entire Air Force for Admiral Nimitz." Gen. Arnold added that Japan would soon feel the weight of what the name Nimitz meant when the aircraft began its combat missions against the Empire. In response, Admiral Nimitz expressed his honor and gratitude for the special christening. After the official ceremony, Admiral Nimitz and Gen. Arnold inspected the "Fleet Admiral Nimitz." They were introduced to Col. Hubbard, the aircraft commander and 501st Bomb Group Commander, and his crew. Next, Admiral Nimitz and Gen. Arnold toured the aircraft, and the crew described their respective duties and the aircraft's outstanding features. Before departing, Admiral Nimitz presented Hubbard with a five-star insignia to put in the upholstery, a case of beer, and a bottle of Haig and Haig for the crew to celebrate with later." In an expression of good luck, Admiral Nimitz later sent an autographed portrait to the crew members of the "Fleet Admiral Nimitz." The good luck gesture was well timed because the crews were busy training for their first combat mission.
42-63650 315 501 21 FLEET ADMIRAL NIMITZ Original AC Reagle, crew Y-1, 203, Also flown by Col Hubbard, 501st BG Commander
