Posted on 10/18/2005 4:11:07 PM PDT by Liberty Valance
FREDERICKSBURG TEXAS — Another Hill Country native leading his troops into battle halfway around the world spoke this weekend to mark the 60th anniversary of Fleet Adm. Chester Nimitz’s homecoming at the end of World War II.
U.S. Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Michael W. Hagee told the crowd of nearly 200 at the National Museum of the Pacific War that the same leadership traits that made Nimitz a successful commander could be found today in the men and women fighting in the streets of Bagdad.
“The world has changed because of advanced communication, and often young Marines cannot wait to get answers from higher up, because often their decisions will have strategic consequences,” Hagee said.
Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, also spoke about his visits with troops in Iraq and how they made the historic voting there possible on Saturday.
“I come back literally bursting with pride of these men and women, many of whom are still teenagers,” Cornyn said.
Cornyn, whose father was a B-17 pilot in World War II, said the National Museum of the Pacific War helps inspire the youth of today by reminding them of the sacrifices made by that generation.
“To me, leadership is the willingness to step forward. It is having the faith. It’s having the courage. It’s having the guts to step forward even when it’s not in you own best interest,” Cornyn said.
Nimitz, who at the height of the Pacific war commanded more than 2 million men and women, 5,000 ships and 20,000 planes, was raised in Fredericksburg, where he lived and worked at his grandfather’s hotel until moving to Kerrville when he was 6 years old. He lived with his family managing the St. Charles Hotel in Kerrville until he was accepted at Annapolis at the age of 15.
Although he once received a court-martial after grounding a ship off the Philippine Islands, Nimitz became commander of the Pacific during War World II, and on Sept. 2, 1945, aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay, Nimitz accepted the unconditional surrender of the Japanese on behalf of the United States.
Today, the museum in Fredericksburg is operated under a foundation named for Nimitz.
“(Nimitz) was a man, who in my opinion, was one of the greatest leaders ever,” said retired Navy Rear Adm. Chuck Grojean, director of the Nimitz Foundation. “The role he played helped us win the war in the Pacific.
They think a very great deal of Nimitz in Japan as well, specifically the JMSDF - in a time when their emphasis was very much on burying the past he personally intervened to preserve their own history. It took a lot of integrity and personal courage for Nimitz to rise above the hatred of the war and he was one of the first to manage it.
Nimitz was an amazing man and his leadership ensured the Pacific victory in WWII.
But, a point of history; I thought Gen. MacArthur was the one who accepted the Japanese surrender on the Missouri?
I grew up in the Kerrville area. Thanks for posting this.
:)
Nimitz signed as the representative for the United States (representatives of all the countries at war with japan signed). MacArthur signed as supreme commander of the allied forces.
You had me wondering as well. Here's what i've found...
Thank you.
That clears it up very nicely.
Nimitz had a great plan for the Pacific and executed brilliantly.
http://navysite.de/cvn/cvn68.html
USS NIMITZ is the first ship in the NIMITZ - class of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and the first ship in the Navy named after Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz
Much of the plan that Admiral Nimitz followed was part of War Plan Rainbow 5 which had been created shortly before WWII by merging together many of the old "color" war plans with the section for dealing with Japan coming from War Plan Orange.
Also, as a side note... Does anyone know which Nazi on trial on Nuremberg received a letter from Admiral Nimitz in his defense?
Das Boot
;O]
Fredericksburg, Texas, celebrates its German heritage through Oktoberfest. Oompah at its best. German music, food and drink, arts and crafts, children's area and family fun.
First weekend in October.
http://www.oktoberfestinfbg.com/
Iwo Jima Re-Enactment Held in Texas
http://www.rednova.com/news/general/129455/iwo_jima_reenactment_held_in_texas/
You're making me homesick. :(
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.