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Chester W. Nimitz
28 quotes
“We shall never forget that it was our submarines that held the lines against the enemy while our fleets replaced losses and repaired wounds.”
Chester W. Nimitz (1885–1966) said by 1966 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted in Historic Ship Exhibits in the United States (1969), by United States Naval History Division, United States Navy, p. 24
“I felt that it was an unnecessary loss of civilian life... We had them beaten. They hadn't enough food, they couldn't do anything.”
Chester W. Nimitz (1885–1966) said by 1966 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: On the use of the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, as quoted by his widow, who also stated that he had "always felt badly over the dropping of that bomb because he said we had Japan beaten already" in The Decisio…
“The enemy of our games was always Japan, and the courses were so thorough that after the start of World War II, nothing that happened in the Pacific was strange or unexpected.”
Chester W. Nimitz (1885–1966) first seen 1922 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: On his training for warfare in the Pacific at the Naval War college in 1922, as quoted at The American Experience (PBS)
“The war with Japan had been enacted in the game rooms at the War College by so many people and in so many different ways that nothing that happened during the war was a surprise—absolutely nothing except the kamikaze tactics toward the end of the war. We had not visualized these.”
Chester W. Nimitz (1885–1966) said by 1966 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Hindsight is notably cleverer than foresight.”
Chester W. Nimitz (1885–1966) said by 1966 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I do believe we are going to have a major war, with Japan and Germany, and that the war is going to start by a very serious surprise attack and defeat of U.S. armed forces, and that there is going to be a major revulsion on the part of the political power in Washington against all those in command at sea, and they are going to be thrown out, though it won't be their fault necessarily. And I wish to be in a position of sufficient prominence so that I will then be considered as one to be sent to sea, because that appears to be the route.”
Chester W. Nimitz (1885–1966) said by 1966 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: On his expectations of war, and that he would someday become the Chief of Naval Operations, in a conversation during the mid 1930s with his son, Chester W. Nimitz, Jr.; as quoted in Nimitz (1976) by E. B. Potter.
“A ship is always referred to as "she" because it costs so much to keep her in paint and powder.”
Chester W. Nimitz (1885–1966) first seen 1940 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Remarks to the Society of Sponsors, U.S. Navy, 13 February 1940
“Naval fleets probably never again will fight in full force... No government today can afford to run the risk of staking its entire naval force on a single battle. Therefore, it is probable that in the future fighting will be done by special units. These will be organized according to the requirements of the tasks assigned to them. One mission might require only a few cruisers, a number of destroyers, an aircraft carrier and some submarines. Another might require a battleship or two.”
Chester W. Nimitz (1885–1966) first seen 1941 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted in Time magazine, Volume XXXVII (1941), p. 18
“Well, you were only five miles, five degrees, and five minutes off.”
Chester W. Nimitz (1885–1966) first seen 1942 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: On the accuracy of Edwin Layton's prediction of where Japanese forces would be prior to the Battle of Midway, June 4, 1942. Quoted by the U.S. Naval Institute
“Is the proposed operation likely to succeed? What might be the consequences of failure? Is it in the realm of practicability in terms of matériel and supplies?”
Chester W. Nimitz (1885–1966) first seen 1944 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Three favorite rules of thumb" Nimitz had printed on a card he kept on his desk, as quoted in LIFE magazine (10 July 1944)
“By their victory, the 3rd, 4th and 5th Marine Divisions and other units of the Fifth Amphibious Corps have made an accounting to their country which only history will be able to value fully. Among the Americans serving on Iwo island, uncommon valor was a common virtue.”
Chester W. Nimitz (1885–1966) first seen 1945 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Statement after the Battle of Iwo Jima (c. March - May 1945); "UNCOMMON VALOR WAS A COMMON VIRTUE" has been inscribed on the USMC War Memorial.
“CEASE OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS AGAINST JAPANESE FORCES. CONTINUE SEARCH AND PATROLS. MAINTAIN DEFENSIVE AND INTERNAL SECURITY MEASURES AT HIGHEST LEVEL AND BEWARE OF TREACHERY OR LAST MOMENT ATTACKS BY ENEMY FORCES ON INDIVIDUALS.”
Chester W. Nimitz (1885–1966) first seen 1945 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Message sent to all U.S. Navy forces following Japan's announcement of unconditional surrender, 14 August 1945. As quoted by Clay Blair Jr., Silent Victory: The U.S. Submarine War Against Japan, Volume 2 (1975), Philade…
“The Japanese had, in fact, already sued for peace before the atomic age was announced to the world with the destruction of Hiroshima and before the Russian entry into war. ... The atomic bomb played no decisive part, from a purely military standpoint, in the defeat of Japan.”
Chester W. Nimitz (1885–1966) first seen 1945 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Public statement quoted in The New York Times (6 October 1945) and in The Decision to Use the Atomic Bomb (1996) by Gar Alperovitz
“Sir Walter Raleigh declared in the early 17th century that "whoever commands the sea, commands the trade; whosoever commands the trade of the world commands the riches of the world, and consequently the world itself." This principle is as true today as when uttered, and its effect will continue as long as ships traverse the seas.”
Chester W. Nimitz (1885–1966) said by 1966 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The United States possesses today control of the sea more absolute than was possessed by the British. Our interest in this control is not riches and power as such. It is first the assurance of our national security, and, second, the creation and perpetuation of that balance and stability among nations which will insure to each the right of self-determination under the framework of the United Nations Organization.”
Chester W. Nimitz (1885–1966) said by 1966 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Our present control of the sea is so absolute that it is sometimes taken for granted.”
Chester W. Nimitz (1885–1966) said by 1966 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The basic objectives and principles of war do not change. The final objective in war is the destruction of the enemy's capacity and will to fight, and thereby force him to accept the imposition of the victor's will. This submission has been accomplished in the past by pressure in and from each of the elements of land and sea, and during World War I and II, in and from the air as well. The optimum of pressure is exerted through that absolute control obtained by actual physical occupation. This optimum is obtainable only on land where physical occupation can be consolidated and maintained.”
Chester W. Nimitz (1885–1966) said by 1966 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“When I assumed command of the Pacific Fleet in 31 December, 1941; our submarines were already operating against the enemy, the only units of the Fleet that could come to grips with the Japanese for months to come. It was to the Submarine Force that I looked to carry the load until our great industrial activity could produce the weapons we so sorely needed to carry the war to the enemy. It is to the everlasting honor and glory of our submarine personnel that they never failed us in our days of peril.”
Chester W. Nimitz (1885–1966) first seen 1949 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Foreword, in United States Submarine Operations in World War II. (1949) by Theodore Roscoe, p. v
“The U.S.'s major strength factor and weapon is its economy. If you cripple it, you cripple the military.”
Chester W. Nimitz (1885–1966) first seen 1950 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted in "According to Plan" in TIME magazine (13 March 1950)
“That is not to say that we can relax our readiness to defend ourselves. Our armament must be adequate to the needs, but our faith is not primarily in these machines of defense but in ourselves.”
Chester W. Nimitz (1885–1966) first seen 1950 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Speech at the University of California, Berkeley (22 March 1950)
“God grant me the courage not to give up what I think is right even though I think it is hopeless.”
Chester W. Nimitz (1885–1966) first seen 1951 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Appended to a variant of the Serenity Prayer in The Armed Forces Prayer Book (1951)
“Through the skill and devotion to duty of their armed forces of all branches in the Midway area our citizens can now rejoice that a momentous victory is in the making. It was on a Sunday just six months ago that the Japanese made their peace‑time attack on our fleet and army activities on Oahu. At that time they created heavy damage, it is true, but their act aroused the grim determination of our citizenry to avenge such treachery, and it raised, not lowered, the morale of our fighting men. Pearl Harbor has now been partially avenged. Vengeance will not be complete until Japanese sea power has been reduced to impotence. We have made substantial progress in that direction. Perhaps we will be forgiven if we claim we are about midway to our objective!”
Chester W. Nimitz (1885–1966) first seen 1942 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: After the Battle of Midway, CINCPAC Communiqué No. 3, (6 June 1942)
“On board all vessels at sea and in port, and at our many island bases in the Pacific, there is rejoicing and thanksgiving. The long and bitter struggle, which Japan started so treacherously on the 7th of December 1941, is at an end. I take great pride in the American forces which have helped to win this victory. America can be proud of them. The officers and men of the United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and merchant marine who fought in the Pacific have written heroic new chapters in this Nation's military history. I have infinite respect for their courage, resourcefulness, and devotion to duty. We also acknowledge the great contribution to this victory made by our valiant Allies. United we fought and united we prevail. The port of Tokyo, which was first opened by Commodore Perry in 1853, is now crowded with United States men-of-war. The process of bringing Japan into the family of civilized nations, which was interrupted when Japan launched her program of conquest, will soon begin again.”
Chester W. Nimitz (1885–1966) first seen 1945 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Statement broadcast to the United States and the Pacific Fleet, after ceremonies in Tokyo Bay accepting the official surrender of Japan (2 September 1945)
“Today all freedom-loving peoples of the world rejoice in the victory and feel pride in the accomplishments of our combined forces. We also pay tribute to those who defended our freedom at the cost of their lives. On Guam is a military cemetery in a green valley not far from my headquarters. The ordered rows of white crosses stand as reminders of the heavy cost we have paid for victory. On these crosses are the names of American soldiers, sailors and marines — Culpepper, Tomaino, Sweeney, Bromberg, Depew, Melloy, Ponziani — names that are a cross-section of democracy. They fought together as brothers in arms; they died together and now they sleep side by side. To them we have a solemn obligation — the obligation to insure that their sacrifice will help to make this a better and safer world in which to live. … Now we turn to the great tasks of reconstruction and restoration. I am confident that we will be able to apply the same skill, resourcefulness, and keen thinking to these problems as were applied to the problems of winning the victory.”
Chester W. Nimitz (1885–1966) first seen 1945 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Statement broadcast to the United States and the Pacific Fleet, after ceremonies in Tokyo Bay accepting the official surrender of Japan (2 September 1945); a portion of this is engraved on the National World War II Memo…
“Our present undisputed control of the sea was achieved primarily through the employment of naval air-sea forces in the destruction of Japanese and German sea power. It was consolidated by the subsequent reduction of these nations to their present impotence, in which the employment of naval air-sea forces against land objectives played a vital role. It can be perpetuated only through the maintenance of balanced naval forces of all categories adequate to our strategic needs (which include those of the non-totalitarian world), and which can flexibly adjust to new modes of air-sea warfare and which are alert to develop and employ new weapons and techniques as needed.”
Chester W. Nimitz (1885–1966) said by 1966 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“If we are to project our power against the vital areas of any enemy across the ocean before beachheads on enemy territory are captured, it must be by air-sea power; by aircraft launched from carriers; and by heavy surface ships and submarines projecting guided missiles and rockets. If present promise is developed by research, test and production, these three types of air-sea power operating in concert will be able within the next ten years critically to damage enemy vital areas many hundreds of miles inland. Naval task forces including these types are capable of remaining at sea for months. This capability has raised to a high point the art of concentrating air power within effective range of enemy objectives.”
Chester W. Nimitz (1885–1966) said by 1966 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Naval forces are able, without resorting to diplomatic channels, to establish offshore anywhere in the world, air fields completely equipped with machine shops, ammunition dumps, tank farms, warehouses, together with quarters and all types of accommodations for personnel. Such task forces are virtually as complete as any air base ever established. They constitute the only air bases that can be made available near enemy territory without assault and conquest; and furthermore, they are mobile offensive bases, that can be employed with the unique attributes of secrecy and surprise — which attributes contribute equally to their defensive as well as offensive effectiveness.”
Chester W. Nimitz (1885–1966) said by 1966 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Once A Marine should become required reading for the young men of our country. It is a success story which highlights the fact that there is still room at the top for young men of courage, determination and the average educational advantages available to all our young people. General Vandegrift, perhaps more than any other Marine, added luster and glory to our elite Corps that had already won enviable battle honors during its long history of military achievement. His long and successful struggle to hold Guadalcanal against seemingly overwhelming odds will live long in military history. Many veterans of the Marine Corps and of the sister services who participated or were associated in the Guadalcanal episode of World War II will relive their experience in reading Once A Marine. And this includes yours truly who, perforce, had to witness this struggle from afar.”
Chester W. Nimitz (1885–1966) first seen 1964 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: On the back of the dust jacket of Once A Marine: The Memoirs of General A.A. Vandegrift, U.S.M.C. (1964) by Alexander Vandegrift