And a few more - cut out personal pronouns, ditch "pride" month, eliminate transgenderism and it's long tail of social tarpits like "no deployments", eliminate quotas on selection boards, fire half of NavSea that can't design/build ships that are supposed to WARFIGHTING - not "TraaaaaansFOR- MAAAATIONAL, and ban TikTok on all personal phones while deployed. Plus some others I'm sure.
Nimitz was a giant. A modest man. He could be fiercely loyal (Halsey and Spruance) and he could also respect loyalty from his subordinates when pressure was on to fire certain officers Ie. (Halsey defending Fletcher and Stanhope Ring).
His ability to delegate without getting into the micro and macro was the key to his success. He had confidence in his own abilities and empowered his staff to exude the same confidence without arrogance. He was the perfect foil to King’s arrogance and ego. I believe he carried King through the war.
A lot could be learned by todays flag officers. They should strive to be more like Nimitz. If they did, things would naturally change for the better in our Navy.
Had a friend work at USCINCPAC. The "joke" was Nimitz had a staff of 150 to command 1500 ships, and today there is a staff of 1500 to command 150 ships. We made a wrong turn somewhere. The book by E.B. Potter "Nimitz" pub by Naval Institute Press is excellent. So running the Decatur aground didn't seem to tarnish his career too much.
I was stationed at Treasure Island for the entirety of 1972 for EW conversion training. We had to drive through Yerba Buena Island to get on and off T.I. When Admiral Nimitz retired in 1947 he took up residence at Quarters 1 on Yerba Buena until his passing in 1966. My classmates and I were young, focused on training and liberty in San Francisco, but we were ever mindful of Nimitz's spirit on Yerba Buena. Rumor had it that his widow still lived there (she didn't) so we were on our best behavior, as should have been the case in any event.
I never knew that. My FIRST duty station was on treasure island. Navy Reserve assigned to the USS Roark NRF 1986-87. I didn’t cruise on her though. She was a pier queen along with USS Gray. I re-enlisted REGNAV as soon as I could.
Glad I listen to the Dr. Craig Symonds Naval War College presentation you linked......especially the presentation of ADM Nimitz's speech to Congress at the end. Too bad our current congress couldn't be made to listen/watch/read themselves as to the need for sea power and the rebuilding of the Navy in light of current global threats.
For study of history letters , diaries and daily communications are critical for getting insights into events. My library in college had a published collection of George Washingtons wartime letters. My
study of Colonial America was the better for them Folks like Nimitz cannot exist in todays Navy and we will pay dearly. We get fools. like Milley instead....
Excellent. Wonder if the other 4 and 5 stars left similar records. I worked for a Chief of Staff, Army, who kept a daily diary of his interactions taken from his daily calendar. Took daily calendar and diary home with him every night to capture his impressions and decisions/estimates and brought it back to his safe every morning. Said he didn't want future historians to guess or surmise or assume his motivations, communications, or decisions.
I live near the Museum of the Pacific. Absolutely strong recommendation if you are ever in the San Antonio or Austin areas. They took Nimitz' family hotel in Fredericksburg and renovated/expanded the site into the museum. Stellar work taking you through the war in the Pacific. Outdoor courtyard lined with plaques from ship associations commemorating many of the ships involved. Back entrance landscaped with conning tower coming out of rolling green ground cover shaped like waves. Really inspiring stuff.
My mothers brother joined the Navy on Dec. 8th. Since he knew Morse Code after earning his Eagle Scout credentials, he was sent to Radio School and became a Radioman.
Had the great good fortune to serve on Nimitz' staff for his entire career.
My Uncle had many great stories to tell. Sorry I did not record them all.
Uncle John was Gunner's Mate on USS Missouri on 7 December 1941, served for 20+ years. Uncle Don was an Enlisted snipe, served on a small auxiliary in the Pacific. Don became an aerospace engineer. Uncle Dale was a Pharmacist's Mate on a small auxiliary in the Pacific. He later became a doctor under the V-12 program. Uncle Paul was a junior Naval Officer who worked on the Manhattan Project and later worked at Lawrence Livermore Laboratory. Uncle Kenny was a Boatswain's Mate on 2 Destroyers in the Atlantic, one of which was torpedoed and sunk. Dad was a USAAF pilot in the ETO and North Africa. Uncle Reese was an Army grunt in the ETO. None of them talked about it much.
Picked out of the Gray Book portion "Briefed Estimate 10 December 1941" document page 7.
Some staff type can just cut and paste this when the balloon inevitably goes up in the next few years...
21) Even in peace there has been considerable difficulty in our meeting the logistic requirements of outlying bases. It will be much more so now, but it is possible .
22) Deficiencies in the available supplies here are manifold. No exhaustive discussion of that aspect is necessary. Repeated strong representations in the past have only been partially heeded but stronger support may now be expected. As a glaring example, all .50 calibre ammunition from the N.A.D has been exhausted. It is hoped to salvage some from damaged ships. Meeting the logistic needs of the Hawaiian Islands from the mainland, and supplying our outlying bases will impose heavy demands on this fleet for convoy work.
Wonder what Nimitz would do if he was in charge of today's Navy?
Paint ships, maintain ships, repair ships.
And a few more - cut out personal pronouns, ditch "pride" month, eliminate transgenderism and it's long tail of social tarpits like "no deployments", eliminate quotas on selection boards, fire half of NavSea that can't design/build ships that are supposed to WARFIGHTING - not "TraaaaaansFOR- MAAAATIONAL, and ban TikTok on all personal phones while deployed. Plus some others I'm sure.
Nimitz was a giant. A modest man. He could be fiercely loyal (Halsey and Spruance) and he could also respect loyalty from his subordinates when pressure was on to fire certain officers Ie. (Halsey defending Fletcher and Stanhope Ring).
His ability to delegate without getting into the micro and macro was the key to his success. He had confidence in his own abilities and empowered his staff to exude the same confidence without arrogance. He was the perfect foil to King’s arrogance and ego. I believe he carried King through the war.
A lot could be learned by todays flag officers. They should strive to be more like Nimitz. If they did, things would naturally change for the better in our Navy.
Had a friend work at USCINCPAC. The "joke" was Nimitz had a staff of 150 to command 1500 ships, and today there is a staff of 1500 to command 150 ships. We made a wrong turn somewhere. The book by E.B. Potter "Nimitz" pub by Naval Institute Press is excellent. So running the Decatur aground didn't seem to tarnish his career too much.
The fact that Nimitz still has a ghost at Cincpac speaks volumes about his impact.
I was stationed at Treasure Island for the entirety of 1972 for EW conversion training. We had to drive through Yerba Buena Island to get on and off T.I. When Admiral Nimitz retired in 1947 he took up residence at Quarters 1 on Yerba Buena until his passing in 1966. My classmates and I were young, focused on training and liberty in San Francisco, but we were ever mindful of Nimitz's spirit on Yerba Buena. Rumor had it that his widow still lived there (she didn't) so we were on our best behavior, as should have been the case in any event.
I never knew that. My FIRST duty station was on treasure island. Navy Reserve assigned to the USS Roark NRF 1986-87. I didn’t cruise on her though. She was a pier queen along with USS Gray. I re-enlisted REGNAV as soon as I could.
Going to download The Gray Book, all eight volumes, now.
Glad I listen to the Dr. Craig Symonds Naval War College presentation you linked......especially the presentation of ADM Nimitz's speech to Congress at the end. Too bad our current congress couldn't be made to listen/watch/read themselves as to the need for sea power and the rebuilding of the Navy in light of current global threats.
For study of history letters , diaries and daily communications are critical for getting insights into events. My library in college had a published collection of George Washingtons wartime letters. My
study of Colonial America was the better for them Folks like Nimitz cannot exist in todays Navy and we will pay dearly. We get fools. like Milley instead....
Excellent. Wonder if the other 4 and 5 stars left similar records. I worked for a Chief of Staff, Army, who kept a daily diary of his interactions taken from his daily calendar. Took daily calendar and diary home with him every night to capture his impressions and decisions/estimates and brought it back to his safe every morning. Said he didn't want future historians to guess or surmise or assume his motivations, communications, or decisions.
I live near the Museum of the Pacific. Absolutely strong recommendation if you are ever in the San Antonio or Austin areas. They took Nimitz' family hotel in Fredericksburg and renovated/expanded the site into the museum. Stellar work taking you through the war in the Pacific. Outdoor courtyard lined with plaques from ship associations commemorating many of the ships involved. Back entrance landscaped with conning tower coming out of rolling green ground cover shaped like waves. Really inspiring stuff.
The Japanese peace garden there is powerful stuff
My mothers brother joined the Navy on Dec. 8th. Since he knew Morse Code after earning his Eagle Scout credentials, he was sent to Radio School and became a Radioman.
Had the great good fortune to serve on Nimitz' staff for his entire career.
My Uncle had many great stories to tell. Sorry I did not record them all.
BZ
Uncle John was Gunner's Mate on USS Missouri on 7 December 1941, served for 20+ years. Uncle Don was an Enlisted snipe, served on a small auxiliary in the Pacific. Don became an aerospace engineer. Uncle Dale was a Pharmacist's Mate on a small auxiliary in the Pacific. He later became a doctor under the V-12 program. Uncle Paul was a junior Naval Officer who worked on the Manhattan Project and later worked at Lawrence Livermore Laboratory. Uncle Kenny was a Boatswain's Mate on 2 Destroyers in the Atlantic, one of which was torpedoed and sunk. Dad was a USAAF pilot in the ETO and North Africa. Uncle Reese was an Army grunt in the ETO. None of them talked about it much.
If interested, Prof Symonds also has several naval history courses on Wondrium, the successor to "The Great Courses"
Right man at the right time. Makes ya' wonder what nations have a similar intellect in uniform today.
https://i.imgflip.com/88r29a.jpg
I often wonder, what Nimitz thought of Patton. Any documentation?
Probably glad he didnt have to deal with him!
(keeping things nautical...)
For those who don't know, Patton was an accomplished sailor. He sailed to Hawaii from California...
https://aotus.blogs.archives.gov/2012/12/14/young-george-patton-the-sailor/
https://www.classicboatcharter.com/arcturus-history/
The yacht he had built on the eve of WWII is still around and in charter. He named her "When and If"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLHpjI9axwc
https://www.sailwhenandif.com/
Picked out of the Gray Book portion "Briefed Estimate 10 December 1941" document page 7.
Some staff type can just cut and paste this when the balloon inevitably goes up in the next few years...
21) Even in peace there has been considerable difficulty in our meeting the logistic requirements of outlying bases. It will be much more so now, but it is possible .
22) Deficiencies in the available supplies here are manifold. No exhaustive discussion of that aspect is necessary. Repeated strong representations in the past have only been partially heeded but stronger support may now be expected. As a glaring example, all .50 calibre ammunition from the N.A.D has been exhausted. It is hoped to salvage some from damaged ships. Meeting the logistic needs of the Hawaiian Islands from the mainland, and supplying our outlying bases will impose heavy demands on this fleet for convoy work.
This is instructive. When war comes in the pacific, the same issue will reoccur.
God Bless them all.