The Recollections of Adm. Chester W. Nimitz, USN, by Relatives and Friends : 1885-1966

Admiral Chester W. Nimitz looms large in the story of the U.S. Navy in World War II. He passed away in 1966 — sadly, just three years before the launching of the U.S. Naval Institute Oral History Program. Having missed the opportunity to secure the oral history of this giant of naval history, the Institute did the next best thing: gathered and compiled the oral histories of numerous officers, loved ones, friends, and family who had been on close terms with Nimitz. The multiple volumes in this series are an exhaustive resource — and a crucial one to any Nimitz student, scholar, or biographer.

This volume contains transcripts of a number of tape recorded interviews dealing with the late Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz. The first one in the series was given by Rear Admiral Eugene B. Fluckey, USN (Ret.), who served as Aide to Admiral Nimitz during 1946-48. Fluckey came to know the Admiral not only as a great Naval commander but also as a very human and compassionate man. Eight of the interviews included in this volume were given by relatives. These people were interviewed by Professor E. B. Potter, the author of the Nimitz Biography.These recordings were obtained by Potter during a trip he made in March, 1970 to the birthplace of the Admiral in Fredericksburg, Texas. Represented in the volume are: Fluckey, Rear Adm. Eugene B. (1913–2007); submarine skipper and later Nimitz''s aide; interviewed by Mason in October 1971; 29 pages Caldwell, Mr. J. Emott (1916–2000); naval aviator who served as Nimitz''s pilot; interviewed by Kitchen in January 1970; 52 pages Gros, Mr. Robert R. (1914–1997); journalist who interviewed CNO Nimitz after World War II about Pacific Trust Territories; interviewed by Kitchen in July 1970; 34 pages Sutro, Mr. John A. (1905–1994); Navy League official involved in Nimitz''s 75th birthday celebration; interviewed by Kitchen in July 1970; 20 pages Toepperwein, Mr. Herman T. (1907–1976); Texas relative; interviewed by Potter in March 1970; 18 pages Reinbach, Mr. Max O. Sr. (1905–1997); Texas relative; interviewed by Potter in March 1970; 16 pages Kiehne, Elise (Mrs. Charles) (1883–1976); last surviving aunt; interviewed by Potter in March 1970; 10 pages Durst, Sylvia (Mrs. Milton) (1904–1972) and Mr. Guenther Henke (1893–1980); Texas relatives; interviewed by Potter in March 1970; 24 pages Schreiner, Mr. Louis (1870–1970); Texas relative; interviewed by Potter in March 1970; 8 pages Reagan, Mrs. Dora Nimitz (1895–1982); Texas relative; interviewed by Potter in March 1970; 20 pages Leavell, Mr. John (1883–1971); boyhood friend in Texas; interviewed by Potter in March 1970; 17 pages Based on 12 interviews conducted by John T. Mason, Jr. , Etta-Belle Kitchen, and Paul Hopper. Altogether, the volume contains 333 pages of interview transcript plus indices. The transcripts are copyright by the U. S. Naval Institute; the interviewees have placed no restrictions on their use.