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Nimitz High School in Irving, Texas (Class of '75!) was named after one of the most celebrated Naval Officers in the history of the United States Navy. Born in Fredericksburg, Texas, February 24, 1885, Chester William Nimitz was the bouncing baby boy of Anna (Henke) Nimitz and Chester B. Nimitz, who died before his hero-to-be son was born. It was young Chester's grandfather, himself a retired sea captain, who instilled the virtues and character in Nimitz that would serve him, and our country, so well later in life. At the Offical US Navy website we learn that young Chester "had his sights set on an Army career and while a student at Tivy High School, Kerrville, Texas, he tried for an appointment to West Point. When none was available, he took a competitive examination for Annapolis and was selected and appointed from the Twelfth Congressional District of Texas in 1901. He left high school to enter the Naval Academy Class of 1905. It was many years later, after he had become a Fleet Admiral that he actually was awarded his high school diploma. At the Academy Nimitz was an excellent student, especially in mathematics and graduated with distinction -- seventh in a class of 114". Admiral Nimitz's rise through the ranks of the Navy ultimately led him aboard the USS Missouri, where on September 2, 1945, on behalf of the United States of America, he signed the document that was the unconditional surrender of the Japanese, ending World War II. There's so much more to this man's story that I'd love to tell, but time and space won't allow me to do so. I urge you to click on the links in the post and read more about this true American Hero who was The Greatest of the Greatest Generation.
Interesting comments Toby. You ran may story on Grapevine Lake a week ago. I would like to add that I attended Nimitz High and I served in the US NAVY aboard the USS NIMITZ. The NIMITZ has 5000 people aboard and has more fire power than 95% of the countries in the world. Not only does it have nuclear capability, it can track thousands of in coming targets, and fire on all of them. It is 98,000 tons or 196 Millions Pounds. It is surrounded by a task force of many ships from horizon to horizon. The United States has many NIMITZ CLASS Carriers in the fleet, but only one NIMITZ. It is awesome and I am pround to have served on the flight deck of this might ship. Sometimes I dream that I am still there.
ReplyDeleteSteve...thank for sharing this story, but most of all thank you for your service to our country. :)
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