Nimitz & His Commanders | 2023 International Conference on WWII

"Nimitz & His Commanders" focuses on Admiral Chester Nimitz and his leadership in the Pacific Theater. Featuring Craig Symonds, PhD, and Trent Hone, the session chaired by Jonathan Parshall delves into Nimitz's strategic brilliance, his management of complex personalities, and his pivotal role in key naval victories, offering a comprehensive view of his impact on WWII.

This session is part of The National WWII Museum's 2023 International Conference on WWII presented by the Pritzker Military Foundation, on behalf of the Pritzker Military Museum & Library.

The International Conference on World War II is the premier adult educational event bringing together the best and brightest scholars, authors, historians, and witnesses to history from around the globe to discuss key battles, personalities, strategies, issues, and controversies of the war that changed the world. Joining the featured speakers are hundreds of attendees who travel from all over the world to learn and connect with each other through engaging discussions, question-and-answer periods, book signings, and receptions throughout the weekend.

[c]

Jon Parshall is reason enough to watch any video about the Pacific war.

[chironpl]

I wish I could have attended this session and ask the following question: The interservice rivalry between army and navy in WWII Japanese military is legendary and very dysfunctional. To what extent was Nimitz and his staff aware of this and did they seek to take advantage of it?

[scottl]

Richard Frank got me into Guadalcanal, John Lundsrom course corrected Fletchers career for me, Barrett Tillman taught me about USN AirPower in Vietnam, and I haven’t picked up shattered sword yet but I’m happy to live in a golden 50-60 years of WW2 naval history books. Thanks to all of you who made that literature and scholarship happen.

[ronauvil]

'The Finest Naval Officer this Country has ever produced' Well said, Sir, well said

[endlesssummer]

Thanks for this very interesting presentation. As a non US citizen, but former military officer, I can highly appreciate the accomplishments of the US in WW2. Even today many countries are not on the level of the US back in the 1940's.

[DannyKaffee]

Excellent panel. 1 hour and 15 minutes well spent while watching. Thanks!

[Oldcoots]

"I want that Fourth (4th) Carrier"!!! Thank You Admiral Nimitz!

[AlfredPeeler-yjsw]

I have Potter's books on Nimitz, Halsey and Burke. They are a MUST for U.S. Naval history buffs.

[williamcoolidge]

I have books from all 3 panelists so you can bet I loved this.

[topgundoc]

I read somewhere that Nimitz himself thought that Spruance was the best, most competent admiral 🙂

[jayjohnson]

I really enjoyed and love watching the The Military History of Admiral Chester Nimitz. I only wished that I was there in person to be present.

[jasonyoung]

It is the best video i have watched this year. Thank you

[JanneHarp-mygh]

Great information! I read a lot of war history and love all of the recent books being published on WWII, especially love the latest on Nimitz by Symonds. Thanks so much!

[waynezimnoch]

Halsey and MacAurthur got along surprisingly well, Mac spoke glowing praise, called him " Bill" always

[johnrudy]

I'll go for the low hanging fruit. Adm. Nimitz and Gen Eisenhower were the same kind of commander. Switch the ETO & PTO and probably the same outcome.

[beauarts]

Re: luck vs better. The classic line that applies is ‘the harder I worked, the luckier I got’. I think the US task force worked harder and threw everything they could once they had an idea where the Japanese carriers were. That operational tempo was the factor that overcame the difficulties and deficits the US fleet had and made their luck in the end.

[williammorris]

Suggestion: Accept written questions. Other academic meeting have done this with a wonderful reduction to zero of people giving at length their alternative version of the presentation just concluded.

[simonargall]

So enjoyable and trustworthy. Thank you 🙂

[v.mwilliams]

Thank you. Sounds like these two books complement each other nicely. Just which one to read first...

[gregb.]

They forgot Kirk Douglas, who commanded the Nimitz in 1980 & 1941.