Chester W. Nimitz Papers, 1941-1966: Finding Aid
Published in 2008
Summary Information
- Publisher: United States Naval Academy. Special Collections & Archives.
- Publisher Address:
589 McNair Road
Annapolis, Maryland 21402-5029, USA
Phone: 410-293-6917
https://www.usna.edu/Library/sca/index.php - Call number: MS 236
- Location: Special Collections & Archives Department - Manuscripts
- Title: Chester W. Nimitz
- Dates: 1941-1966
- Size: 0.21 linear feet
- Container Summary: 1 half-manuscript box containing 103 items
- Creator: Nimitz, Chester W. (Chester William), 1885-1966
- Language(s) of material: English
- Abstract: The Chester William Nimitz Papers are primarily a collection of letters (mostly photocopies) from Fleet Admiral Chester William Nimitz (1885-1966) to his wife Catherine and to his friends Captain Leonard Miscall, Dr. Lloyd Reynolds and Frank G. Nagle. The correspondence covers the years 1941-1966.
Biography of Chester W. Nimitz
Fleet Admiral Chester William Nimitz was born in Fredericksburg, Texas, on February 24, 1885, the son of Chester Bernhard and Anna (Henke) Nimitz. Appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy from Texas, he graduated in 1905 with distinction, seventh in a class of 114.
In 1912 Nimitz risked his life to rescue an enlisted man from drowning. Despite an early court-martial and reprimand for running his second command, the destroyer Decatur, aground, Nimitz's advancement through the naval ranks was swift. His career would encompass a broad range of duties ashore and at sea, including the commands of destroyers, submarines, cruisers and battleships. He was considered an expert on the topics of diesel engines and undersea warfare.
During the First World War, Nimitz served as Chief of Staff to the Commander of the Submarine Division, Atlantic Fleet. He was assigned to the University of California in 1926 and there established one of the first Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps Units. Among his duties during the 1930s, Chester William Nimitz would serve as Assistant Chief of the Bureau of Navigation, commander of a cruiser division and commander of a battleship division. Nimitz attained the rank of Rear Admiral in 1938.
Following the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, Nimitz was promoted from Chief of the Bureau of Navigation to Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet. The following year, he was awarded the additional title of Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Areas. Nimitz commanded "all U.S. and Allied forces in the North, Central and South Pacific, except the Army Air Force bombers that raided Japan from the Marianas." A brilliant leader and strategist Nimitz led his forces to victory against the Japanese. His triumph would be crowned in 1944 with the Navy's highest rank, that of Fleet Admiral. Chester William Nimitz would have the honor of signing for the United States at Japan's surrender aboard his flagship, the U.S.S. Missouri, in 1945.
From 1945 through 1947, Nimitz served as Chief of Naval Operations, and in 1948 became Special Assistant to the Secretary of the Navy in the Western Sea Frontier. Nimitz sincerely enjoyed his naval career, never formally retiring from the Navy.
Chester William Nimitz died 20 February 1966 at his home in California and was buried in the Golden Gate National Cemetery, San Bruno, California. He was survived by his wife, Catherine Vance Freeman Nimitz (whom he married in 1913) and his children: Rear Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, Jr., USN retired, Catherine Vance Lay, Anna Elizabeth (Nancy) Nimitz and Mary Manson Nimitz.
Description of Contents
The Chester William Nimitz Papers are primarily a collection of letters from Fleet Admiral Chester William Nimitz (1885-1966) to his wife Catherine and to his friends: Capt. Leonard Miscall, Dr. Lloyd Reynolds and Frank G. Nagle. The correspondence covers the years 1941-1966. Nimitz's letters to his wife, written during his World War II service, are the most historically significant of the materials.
An interview of Nimitz by U.S.N.A. Professor William M. Belote and two inscribed yen notes are also included among the papers. Although acquired from various sources at different times, the Papers are grouped together in one collection because of their relevance to the same subject, Chester William Nimitz.
Arrangement
The Chester W. Nimitz Papers are organized into the following five series:
- Series 1: CHESTER WILLIAM NIMITZ LETTERS TO CATHERINE NIMITZ, 1941-1945
- Series 2: NIMITZ LETTERS TO CAPTAIN LEONARD MISCALL, 1947-1966
- Series 3: CHESTER WILLIAM NIMITZ LETTER TO DR. LLOYD REYNOLDS, 1945
- Series 4: CHESTER WILLIAM NIMITZ LETTERS TO FRANK G. NAGLE, 1950-1951
- Series 5: CHESTER WILLIAM NIMITZ INTERVIEW, 1964
Access and Use
Access
Access is unrestricted.
Copyright and Permission
The Chester W. Nimitz Papers are the physical property of Nimitz Library. Copyright belongs to the authors or creators of the works, or their legal representatives. For further information, consult the Head, Special Collections & Archives.
It is the responsibility of the researcher to secure written permission to publish, reprint, or reproduce material from Special Collections & Archives. The researcher assumes responsibility for infringement of copyright or literary or publication rights. Please contact the Head, Special Collections & Archives for permission to publish and for further information.
Acquisition and Appraisal
Provenance and Acquisition
Gifts of Robert A. Kolb in April 1976, Nimitz's sister, Sister Aquinas via Sister Marguerite Stanka of the Archbishop Alemany Library in January 1982, Captain Leonard F. Bassett, USN (Ret.) in January 1985, and the United States Naval Academy Alumni Association in October 1988. Accession No. 85-2 and 88-37.
Related Materials
Location of Copies or Alternate Formats
The Chester W. Nimitz Papers are available electronically in their entirety. In addition to following the links in the Container List, the materials can be accessed through Trireme: The U.S. Navy’s Higher Education Digital Archives Preservation System at: https://trireme.access.preservica.com/uncategorized/SO_a012be76-1c5e-4d2e-b122-2d43aec69627/
Related Archival Material
The Nimitz (Chester W.) Collection (http://www.oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/tf78700873/), housed at the Holt-Atherton Department of Special Collections, University Library, University of the Pacific, consists of transcript copies of correspondence, orders, reports, speeches and press clippings, as well as seventy-nine photographs, some autographed. A finding aid is available through the Online Archive of California.
The Papers of Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz (http://www.history.navy.mil/research/archives/research-guides-and-finding-aids/personal-papers/n/papers-of-fleet-admiral-chester-w-nimitz.html), housed within the Operational Archives of the Naval Historical Center, consist of official, semiofficial, and personal correspondence, dispatches, publications, speeches, subject files and newspaper clippings.
Materials Cataloged Separately
No materials have been removed from the collection.
Processing and Other Information
Preferred Citation
Chester W. Nimitz Papers, MS 236
Special Collections & Archives Department
Nimitz Library
United States Naval Academy
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Mary R. Catalfamo in 1989. Finding aid written by Mary R. Catalfamo in 1989 and edited for electronic publication by David D'Onofrio in November 2008.
Subject Headings
Name and Subject Terms
- Nimitz, Catherine Freeman, d. 1979
- Nimitz, Chester W. (Chester William), 1885-1966
- World War, 1939-1945 -- Campaigns -- Pacific Ocean
- World War, 1939-1945 -- Naval Operations, American
Genre Terms
- Correspondence
- Manuscripts
Contents List
Series 1: CHESTER WILLIAM NIMITZ LETTERS TO CATHERINE NIMITZ, 1941-1945 3 folders
Series DescriptionMaterials: Seventy-Five photocopies of autograph letters (no originals). Personal salutations and closings, endearments, etc. edited out (blacked out) by Nimitz family prior to donation.
Description: Letters from Chester William Nimitz to his wife, Catherine. Presents an intimate picture of Nimitz's professional and personal daily routine and activities as Commander In Chief United States Pacific Fleet and Pacific Ocean areas. Frequent brief mentions of: naval and military associates and aides, many of them high-ranking; civilian, political, naval and military visitors; personal friends and acquaintances. Associations with publicists and journalists. Public functions and duties. Nimitz's health and exercise regimen, his love of music and other interests. His boat, the Catherine. Gifts received and given. Catherine's work with Red Cross and her other volunteer activities.
Donor: Photocopies received from Sr. Marguerite Stanka, Director, Archbishop Alemany Library, Dominican College, San Rafael, California, with the permission of Sr. Aquinas (daughter of Chester William and Catherine Nimitz).
Letters to Catherine Nimitz, 1941 December 22-1944 December 20
1941: Train trip, [Hal] Lamar, Naval Air Station, S.D. (Dec 22), 1944: Joe Richardson, Leyte airfield work, Japanese military strength and the Philippine Islands (P.I.). (Nov 28-29), Imminent arrival of WAVES (Nov 30), Dedication of Towers Pool (Dec 3), Nimitz awarded Fordham honorary LLD (Dec 4), House Naval Affairs Committee visit. Columnist Drew Pearson instigating trouble between Nimitz and MacArthur. Nimitz accused of "interfering with army matters" regarding Honolulu housing (Dec 5-9), Pleasure in presenting medals to submariners (Dec 11), David Nelson visit (Dec 13), Visit from black official Walter White. "Colored men" serving in naval auxiliary (Dec 16), Admiral Fraser visit (Dec 17).
Digital copy available at: https://trireme.access.preservica.com/uncategorized/SO_d25544cc-4556-49ad-adcb-5b174e8562d5/
Letters to Catherine Nimitz, 1944 December 24-1945 January 20
1944: Visit with Halsey. Inspection of new H.Q (Dec 24), Guam, (Dec 30). 1945: Praise of movie Fighting Lady (Jan 1), Nimitz's new boat, the Catherine. "Fine work" of US submarines against Japanese (Jan 3), Westward naval operations. Publicity to encourage USN enlistment by nurses (Jan 5), Lt. Cmdr. Murray's painting of Nimitz. Praise of Red Cross (Jan 6), Pride in son's (CWN Jr.) winning of Navy Cross (Jan 7), CWN Jr. to be in "thick" of battle. Dinner with General Buckner and Schofield (Jan 8), Luzon and MacArthur and future plans for west activities. Nimitz-MacArthur relationship (Jan 10-11), Naval actions - French Indo-China coast. Sidney Sargent (Jan 12), Praise of Eller. Nimitz on King George's Honors List (Jan 13), Praise of Bill Calhoun (Jan 14), Nimitz withholds approval of certain uses of WAVES. Good news from P.I. and future plans (Jan 16), "Western naval picture" (Jan 17), Praise of Red Cross Surgical Dressing Group, war in Luzon, Leyte action (Jan 19), Possible conference. Gambling problem among officers. Military moonlighting problem (Jan 20).
Digital copy available at: https://trireme.access.preservica.com/uncategorized/SO_e1171ae0-3d8a-4f26-9a38-e6573e1c4ca6/
Letters to Catherine Nimitz, 1945 January 21-September 3
Halsey's Formosa strike, related matters, future western actions (Jan 22), Nimitz's British Honor (Jan 23), Possible temporary D.C. duty for CWN Jr (Jan 24), Nimitz's plane trip westward, description of plane (Jan 27), Nimitz's new H.Q. 29 (Jan 28), Visit with Spruance (Feb 4), Nimitz's resistance to and Jack Towers' support of certain uses of WAVES (Feb 7), CB development of islands. Presence of Japanese soldiers on islands (Feb 8), Possibility of enemy action on "Empire Day" (Feb 11), Japanese attack men who strayed from recuperation camp (Feb 14), Visit to Saipan (Feb 15), "First day of powerful carrier aircraft strikes in the Tokyo area" (Feb 16), Brief description of surrender ceremony (Sep 2), Return to Guam H.Q. from Tokyo Bay. Attitude of defeated Japanese (Sep 3).
Digital copy available at: https://trireme.access.preservica.com/uncategorized/SO_a2d9c043-0225-4fca-8d99-a7e108594214/
Series 2: NIMITZ LETTERS TO CAPTAIN LEONARD MISCALL, 1947-1966 2 folders
Series DescriptionMaterials: Twenty letters from Chester William Nimitz to Capt. Leonard Miscall of Ithaca, New York (1947 Sep 14. - 1964 Nov 1. 19), and one letter from Catherine Nimitz (wife) to Miscall (1966 Jan 24. Regarding Admiral's health).
Description: Nimitz's comments and opinions regarding Miscall's diplomatic activities in Ecuador and related South American diplomatic matters, Turkish diplomatic-political matters, United Nations, the Chinese ambassador. Positive statements on World War II Seabees and on new President Lyndon B. Johnson. Rear Admiral C.W. Nimitz Jr. (1961 Oct 17). Nimitz's personal views, activities and interests, including very brief mentions of nuclear submarine U.S.S. Sam Houston christening, dedication of high school named in Nimitz's honor, Nimitz's support of proposed Navy Enlisted Program at Syracuse University. Nimitz's health, including serious leg injury and operation.
Donor: Purchased for the Nimitz Library by the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association.
Letters to Captain Leonard Miscall, 1947-1961
Digital copy available at: https://trireme.access.preservica.com/uncategorized/SO_4492a256-713d-4b99-8f6b-0730464d2d61/
Letters to Captain Leonard Miscall, 1962-1966
Digital copy available at: https://trireme.access.preservica.com/uncategorized/SO_d9a4a000-4430-4e32-837d-dfeb587329c3/
Series 3: CHESTER WILLIAM NIMITZ LETTER TO DR. LLOYD REYNOLDS, 1945 1 folder
Series DescriptionMaterials: Letter from Chester William Nimitz to Dr. and Mrs. Lloyd Reynolds, 1945 Jan 8. (Typed letter signed. Envelope stamped "Passed by Naval Censor."), and two inscribed ten yen notes (Japanese currency). Both notes bear numbers 450941 (1124).
Description: Letter consists of thanks for gift of candy and for Dr. Reynolds' medical help. First yen note inscribed on recto, "To L.R. Reynolds/ with great esteem/ C.W. Nimitz/ Fleet Admiral." Second yen note inscribed on verso with four signatures: "Jno. A. Shaw Lt. Cmdr(MC)/ Dudley.[Surname blotted]/ C.W. Nimitz Fleet Admiral/ [fourth name illegible].
Donor: Captain Leonard F. Bassett, USN (Ret.).
Letter to Dr. Lloyd Reynolds, 1945
Digital copy available at: https://trireme.access.preservica.com/uncategorized/SO_73671001-7088-4a38-8dbc-6198b7511546/
Series 4: CHESTER WILLIAM NIMITZ LETTERS TO FRANK G. NAGLE, 1950-1951 1 folder
Series DescriptionMaterials: From Chester William Nimitz to Frank G. Nagle. 1950 Dec 30. 1951 Jan 15. 1951 May 13. Three autograph letters signed.
Description: Friendly letters, containing nothing of naval, historical or biographical significance.
Letters to Frank G. Nagle, 1950-1951
Digital copy available at: https://trireme.access.preservica.com/uncategorized/SO_20b5af85-a514-4577-b73e-d8d8a634f4ff/
Series 5: CHESTER WILLIAM NIMITZ INTERVIEW, 1964 1 folder
Series DescriptionMaterials: Interview of Fleet Admiral Chester William Nimitz, USN, 1964 June 25, 1600 to 1900, by Professor William M. Belote, History Dept., United States Naval Academy. Two page typescript photocopy.
Description: Topics very briefly covered: Orange Plan, Reinforcement and supply - WW II, Trout gold mission, Corregidor memorial commission, Nimitz in pre-WW I Philippines, Douglas MacArthur, Pearl Harbor and Admiral Kimmel.
Donor: Professor William M. Belote.
Abstract of Interview, 1964
Digital copy available at: https://trireme.access.preservica.com/uncategorized/SO_5acca795-43e2-4389-a57a-b2816fbce477/