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.

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.

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.