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Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, USN Oil on canvas by Adrian Lamb, 1960.

Adm. Nimitz played a major role in the naval history of WWII holding the title of both Commander in Chief, Pacific Ocean Areas as well as the Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet.

During his early years he became qualified in submarines and would later become the leading US Navy authority on the vessels–overseeing the conversion from gasoline to diesel, and then later playing an important role in the inquiry to build the world’s first nuclear-powered submarine, USS Nautilus.

In addition to serving as Chief of Naval Operations, Nimitz was the United States’ last surviving officer who served in the rank of fleet admiral.

The Jordan family of four – husband and wife Billy and Linda, and sons Jack and Callum – received a free tour of the USS Bowfin by Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum executive director Chuck Merkel. They also received a gift certificate to the museum gift shop and a complimentary lunch.

“Welcoming our 11 millionth visitor marks an incredible milestone for the Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum, and we are grateful for all of our visitors since opening to the public over 40 years ago,” said Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum executive director Chuck Merkel. “Thanks to our dedicated museum staff, this achievement underscores the lasting significance of preserving the legacy of the submariners who served aboard the USS Bowfin during World War II. It is a privilege to share this historic vessel and its stories with people from around the world.”

Named after an aggressive freshwater predator native to North America, the USS Bowfin was launched on December 7, 1942, and nicknamed the ‘Pearl Harbor Avenger.’ Over the course of nine successful war patrols in the Pacific during World War II, the Bowfin lived up to both her namesake and her nickname. Donated to the Pacific Fleet Submarine Memorial Association in 1979, the submarine was opened to the public in April 1981 and designated a National Historic Landmark in 1986.

Located at 11 Arizona Memorial Drive at Pearl Harbor, the Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum and USS Bowfin submarine are open daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., except on New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

For more information, call (808) 423-1341 or plan your visit here.

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