![]() On October 5, 1945, the Fleet Admiral spoke about the new importance of American sea power before a joint session of Congress in Washington, DC. Nimitz defended the necessity for a strong naval power in light of the development of the weapon. Though his role in the planning and execution of the Manhattan Project was limited, his authority in the Pacific during the war put him in the spotlight in the conversations that followed about nuclear weapons. He received a Gold Star from President Truman and victory parades in several cities. ![]() This ended the Second World War.Īdmiral Nimitz returned from the World War II an American hero. On September 2, 1945, Admiral Nimitz was the signing representative for the United States at the formal surrender of the Japanese on board the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay. On August 14, 1945, Japan declared its surrender. On August 6, 1945, the United States dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, followed by the second nuclear attack on Nagasaki three days later. The Japanese rejected the demand few days later. On Jthe Allied forces issued the Potsdam declaration calling for Japan’s unconditional surrender. According to Ashworth, after reading the letter, Nimitz asked, “Don’t those people realize we’re fighting a war out here? This is February, and you’re talking about the first of August.” ![]() Ashworth met privately with the Admiral to personally deliver a letter which outlined the direction of the Manhattan Project. General Groves, director of the Manhattan Project, instructed Frederick Ashworth to fly to Guam to inform Admiral Nimitz of the nature of the atomic bomb project. This is a lifetime appointment.ĭespite his high rank and pivotal role in the Pacific theater, Admiral Nimitz was not informed of the work of the Manhattan Project until February 1945. In December 1944, President Roosevelt appointed Nimitz Fleet Admiral. Under his leadership, the United States stopped the further advance of the Japanese after Pearl Harbor and organized a sharp offensive response across a massive geographic area. Nimitz had operational control over all allied units in the Pacific, including air, land, and sea forces. The rank of vice admiral was skipped by congressional appointment. He was ranked a Rear Admiral and stationed in Washington, DC as chief of the Bureau of Navigation.ġ0 days after the attack on Pearl Harbor, President Roosevelt promoted Nimitz to commander-in-chief of the United States Pacific Fleet as an Admiral. When the attack on Pearl Harbor occurred, Nimitz had been in the US Navy for 30 years. He conducted experiments in the refueling and energy efficiency of large ships. Before World War I, he studied engines in Germany and Belgium. He attended the US Naval Academy from 1901-1905, where he finished 7 th in his class of 114 officers. Nimitz was born on Februin Fredericksburg, Texas to parents of German descent. Nimitz (1885-1966) was Fleet Admiral of the US Navy and Commander in Chief of the US Pacific Fleet during World War II.
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