Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 2:17:15-2:18:08

Where could Nimitz serve if Kimmel remains in command?

If Kimmel survives politically, Roosevelt cannot simply place Nimitz over the Pacific Fleet and might instead use him as a task-force commander.

Chester W. NimitzHusband E. KimmelMilitary CommandRaymond SpruanceWilliam Halsey Jr.
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Question

What happens to Chester Nimitz if Kimmel is not replaced?

Short answer

Roosevelt would need another role for him, possibly as a task-force commander in an enlarged Pacific Fleet.

Notes

A competent Kimmel response disrupts the historical command succession. Roosevelt had wanted Chester Nimitz in a senior Pacific role, but could not easily place him over a commander whose warning sortie had saved the fleet from the harbor attack. An enlarged Pacific Fleet could instead give Nimitz a task force alongside William Halsey, altering the historical division of carrier command between Halsey and Raymond Spruance. A different operational outcome changes careers and command relationships as well as ship losses.