Chester Nimitz Jr.

Early life

Naval career

Commands

• Served aboard the heavy cruiser from July 1936 to December 1938
• Served aboard the submarine during the Philippines campaign from June 1939 to 1943
• Served aboard as Executive Officer from May 24, 1943 to February 17, 1944
• Commanded the U.S. Navy submarine from February 17, 1944 until October 10, 1944 and inflicted 14,756 tons of shipping losses upon the Imperial Japanese Navy during the period of August 22, 1944 – September 21, 1944
• Commanded the U.S. Navy submarine from April 19, 1945 to June 1948
• Commanded from October 5, 1950 to December 1951
• Commanded Submarine Division 32 based in Norfolk, Virginia
• Served on the staff on Commander in Chief, U.S. Naval Forces, Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean from 1953 to 1956
• Commanded the submarine tender from August 11, 1956, to July 25, 1957

  Later life

Death

Awards and decorations

Navy Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander Chester William Nimitz, Jr., United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. HADDO, on the SEVENTH War Patrol of that submarine during the period 8 August 1944 to 3 October 1944, in enemy controlled waters of the South China Sea. In waters adjacent to the Philippine Islands of Luzon and Mindoro he skillfully directed his vessel in a series of successful torpedo attacks and a gun attack on Japanese men-of-war and escorted merchant shipping. With outstanding aggressiveness and determination to inflict the maximum damage on enemy forces he engaged and sank two fleet-type Japanese Destroyers and another large Armed Escort Vessel, and seriously damaged a third Destroyer. In further attacks on heavily escorted convoys he sank two cargo vessels and a transport, thereby accounting for a total of 17,100 tons of shipping sunk and 1,300 tons damaged on this patrol. He displayed sound tactical judgment in his decisions on all attacks and maneuvered his ship expertly to avoid all damage from the counterattacks of enemy anti-submarine vessels and airplanes. On one occasion he cooperated with our aircraft during a bombing raid on enemy bases and gallantly rescued a naval aviator from the sea. His actions and conduct throughout were an inspiration to his officers and crew and fully in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Silver Star citation (first award)

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Chester William Nimitz, Jr., United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as Torpedo and Gunnery Officer and later as Executive Officer on two war patrols of the Submarine U.S.S. STURGEON II, during World War II. Largely through Lieutenant Nimitz' effort the Torpedo Armament of the U.S.S. STURGEON has functioned with above average performance. This, together with his skillful operation of the Torpedo Instruments contributed greatly to the success in the many actions of the U.S.S. STURGEON with the enemy which resulted in sinking or greatly damaging much enemy shipping. Further during one War Patrol, on 6 April 1942, the U.S.S. STURGEON was ordered to conduct a reconnaissance and rescue R.A.F. personnel on a small island in enemy-controlled waters off the entrance to Tjilaijap, Java. He conducted this reconnaissance with two men in a small submarine power boat, close inshore to the designated island and definitely determined that the personnel were not there to be rescued. This hazardous maneuver in a stormy sea was exceedingly well executed by himself at great personal risk to his own personal safety. The actions of Lieutenant Nimitz on these occasions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Silver Star citation (second award)

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant Commander Chester William Nimitz, Jr., United States Navy, for conspicuous heroism and the performance of duty as Executive Officer, Navigator and Assistant Approach Officer during the FIRST and SECOND War Patrols of the U.S.S. BLUEFISH from 9 September 1943 to November 1943. Lieutenant Commander Nimitz's services as Assistant Approach Officer were indispensable in actions resulting in sinking 38,929 tons of enemy shipping and in damaging 50,700 tons. His skill in navigation enabled his vessel to operate successfully close inshore in the hazardous enemy controlled waters of the East Indies and South China Seas. His conduct as Executive Officer contributed greatly to the high state of morale of the ship. His actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Silver Star citation (third award)

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant Chester William Nimitz, Jr., United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action in the performance of his duties on the U.S.S. STURGEON during the SECOND War Patrol of that Submarine in enemy controlled waters from 29 December 1941 to 13 February 1942. As Torpedo and Gunnery Officer, his excellent supervision of torpedo personnel and their maintenance of torpedo equipment, and efficient direction of torpedo reloads during attacks contributed materially to his vessel's success in sinking of three enemy ships totaling 20,600 tons. His coolness and high devotion to duty contributed directly to the success of his vessel in evading enemy countermeasures. His conduct throughout was an inspiration to the officers and men in his ship, and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.