The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Admiral Chester William Nimitz (NSN: 0-5502/1100), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States, as Commander in Chief of the Pacific Fleet from December 31, 1941 to April 3, 1944. Immediately after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Admiral Nimitz was detached from duty as Chief of the Bureau of Navigation and ordered as Commander in Chief of the Pacific Fleet. He assumed that duty on 31 December 1941, and despite the losses at Pearl Harbor and a serious shortage of ships, planes, and supplies, he organized his forces and carried on defensive warfare which resulted in the halting of the Japanese advances. As rapidly as ships, personnel and material became available to him, he shifted from defensive to offensive warfare and under his splendid guidance and leadership, the Navy won victories in the Coral Sea off Midway and in the Solomon Islands. Recently forces under his command have captured and occupied the Gilbert and Marshall Islands and have now struck blows at Japanese positions even further. These accomplishments have been possible because of the untiring devotion of Admiral Nimitz to his duty and to his skill as a strategist.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal
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Army Distinguished Service Medal
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
AdmiralDivision:
U.S. Pacific FleetAction Date:
December 7, 1941 – June 1942
Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 305 (August 1942)The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Admiral Chester William Nimitz (NSN: 0-5502/1100), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious service as Commander in Chief, U. S. Pacific Fleet. In that position of great responsibility Admiral Nimitz exercised sound judgment and decision in his employment and disposition of units of the Pacific Fleet during the period immediately following our entry into war with Japan. His conduct of the operations of the Pacific Fleet, resulting in successful actions against the enemy in the Coral Sea in May, 1942, and off Midway Island in June, 1942, was characterized by unfailing judgment and sound decision, coupled with skill and vigor. His exercise of command on all occasions left nothing to be desired.
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Fleet AdmiralDivision:
Chief of Naval OperationsAction Date:
August 1945 – December 1947
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Third Gold Star in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Fleet Admiral Chester William Nimitz (NSN: 0-5502/1100), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet and Pacific Ocean Areas, from August 1945, and as Chief of Naval Operations from December 1945 to December 1947. With his primary and immediate objective the difficult task of reducing the most powerful Navy in history to a fraction of its war-time peak, Fleet Admiral Nimitz administered not only the rapid demobilization of vast numbers of personnel and vessels, but also the programs for the establishment and maintenance of Active and Reserve Fleets with the potential strength and readiness required to support our national policy. Responsible for the organization, readjustment and training in all fields of Naval interest, Fleet Admiral Nimitz rendered distinguished service to his country during this critical period by insuring to the greatest possible extent the Navy’s ability to maintain and further the security of the Nation.
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Army Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Fleet AdmiralDivision:
U.S. Pacific FleetAction Date:
April – June 1944
War Department, General Orders No. 121 (October 17, 1946)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Fleet Admiral Chester William Nimitz (NSN: 0-5502/1100), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious service to the Government of the United States in a duty of great responsibility as Commander-in-Chief, Pacific Ocean Areas. Fleet Admiral Nimitz rendered exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service from April through June 1944. Through his able leadership and broad vision, he insured the effective employment of Army units assigned to his command, and greatly assisted their successful participation in amphibious operations performed with the Navy.
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Fleet AdmiralDivision:
U.S. Pacific FleetAction Date:
June 1944 – August 1945
Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 305 (August 1942)The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Fleet Admiral Chester William Nimitz (NSN: 0-5502/1100), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious service as Commander in Chief, U. S. Pacific Fleet. In that position of great responsibility, as Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet and Ocean Areas, from June 1944 to August 1945. Initiating the final phase in the battle for victory in the Pacific, Admiral Nimitz attacked the Marianas, invading Saipan, inflicting a decisive defeat in the Japanese Fleet in the First Battle of the Philippines and capturing Guam and Tinian. In vital continuing operations, his Fleet Forces isolated the enemy-held bastions of the Central and Eastern Carolines and secured in quick succession Peleliu, Angaur and Ulithi. With reconnaissance of the main beaches on Leyte effected, approach channels cleared and opposition neutralized in joint operations to reoccupy the Philippines, the challenge by powerful task forces of the Japanese Fleet resulted in a historic victory in the three-phased Battle for Leyte Gulf, October 24 to 26, 1944. Accelerating the intensity of aerial offensive by pressure exerted at every hostile strong point, Fleet Admiral Nimitz culminated long-range strategy by successful amphibious assault on Iwo Jima and Okinawa. A wise, steadfast and indomitable leader, Fleet Admiral Nimitz, by his daring strategy and his faith in the courage and skill of the officers and men under his command, finally placed representative forces of the U.S. Navy in the Harbor of Tokyo for the formal capitulation of the Japanese Empire. Through his mastery of naval warfare, his strategical skill, his sound judgment, and his inspiring leadership he demonstrated the highest qualities of an officer of the naval service and rendered services of the greatest distinction to his country.