The Greatest Gift

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The Greatest Gift Abstract Admiral Chester W. Nimitz was recognized for his leadership intellect in order to defeat the Japanese at the Battle of Midway during World War II. He controlled the Pearl Harbor fleet during the year of 1942. With the combination of mental agility, sound judgment, and domain knowledge, Nimitz was able to convey clear and concise operation plans to his subordinates. He had absolute faith that they would understand his orders, and complete the task at hand. The results of his actions allowed for a foundation on a new way to execute operations for the future soldiers of the US Navy. Nimitz was later given the honor of signing the Japanese surrender documents on behalf of the United States aboard the battleship MISSOURI (BB-63) in Tokyo Bay on September 2, 1945. Admiral Chester Nimitz’s greatest contribution to the United States Army was his leadership ability against the Japanese at Pearl Harbor during World War II. Naval historian Robert Love writes that Nimitz possessed "a sense of inner balance and calm that steadied those around him." During WWII he was chosen to serve as the Chief of the Bureau of Navigation in 1939, all the way until the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. After the attack Nimitz replaced Admiral Husband Kimmel as Commander-in-Chief of the US Pacific Fleet. He arrived at Pearl Harbor on Christmas Day and took command of the fleet on December 31. Nimitz immediately used his leadership to reestablish the Pacific Fleet and stop the Japanese from advancing across the Pacific Ocean. On March 30, 1942, Nimitz was given the rank of Commander-in-Chief. Pacific Ocean Areas gave him control of all Allied forces in the central Pacific. His achievements weren’t seen until the Battle of Midway. Japanese Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto’s plan was to draw the US Pacific Fleet into a battle so he could

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