If you knew or served with this Sailor and have additional information or photos to support this Page, please leave a message for the Page Administrator(s) HERE.
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)
Admiral Chester W. Nimitzâ??s address to a Joint Meeting of Congress
Date
Oct 5, 1945
Last Updated: Apr 7, 2010
Comments
Admiral Chester W. Nimitzâ??s address to a Joint Meeting of Congress October 05, 1945 On this date, Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, commander of Allied naval forces in the Pacific during World War II, addressed a Joint Meeting of Congress. A little more than a month after the formal Japanese surrender that concluded hostilities in World War II, the nationâ??s capital gave Nimitz a heroâ??s welcome. The festivities began at 12:30 pm with his speech before Senators and Representatives gathered in the House Chamber. A parade to the Washington Monument with a reception immediately followed. One thousand U.S. Navy planes flew over the parade route and a squadron spelled out â??N-I-M-I-T-Z.â?? The day concluded with a White House reception and lavish banquet at the Mayflower Hotel. At the Joint Meeting, Speaker of the House Sam Rayburn of Texas introduced the Texas native, as â??a great American, a great fighting man, one of whom all Americans are proud. . . .â?? In his 25-minute speech, Admiral Nimitz praised U.S. sailors and troops, describing American prisoners of war whom he had recently met for their â??bright courage and unshaken confidence.â?? Nimitz opened his speech by noting, â??I am here only as a representative of the brave men who fought under my command.â?? He also said that â??no greater honor will come to me during my lifetime,â?? than to speak on behalf of those servicemen. He closed on a cautionary note, urging the nation to remain vigilant and prepared to defend itself, lest it repeat the mistake of being caught off guard as it was when Japan launched its surprise attack against Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.