Chester W. Nimitz – 1885-1966

A brilliant administrator, strategist, and naval leader, Nimitz was the principal architect of the U.S. naval victory against Japan in the Pacific during World War II. He had overall command of all naval and land forces and, in conjunction with General Douglas MacArthur, formulated the “islandhopping” strategy that closed in on the Japanese home islands, leading to the defeat of the enemy and the end of the war.