Chester W. Nimitz
Statue
A 9-foot bronze tribute commanding the entrance to the Battleship Missouri Memorial on Ford Island. Honoring the man who directed the Pacific War from Pearl Harbor.
Commanding the Pacific
The Sculpture
Depicting Admiral Nimitz in standard Navy khakis as he appeared during the 1944 Battle of the Marshall Islands. Sculpted by Rip Caswell, it stands on absolute black granite.
Unique Details
The Horseshoe: A bronze horseshoe leans against the base, representing the Admiral's favorite pastime. A gold-leaf inscription honors his men: "They fought together as brothers in arms..."
Access & Logistics
Restricted Access
Located on Ford Island (active military base). You must take the complimentary shuttle from the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center. No private cars.
Hours
8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Limited to shuttle operations. Viewing the statue itself is free once on the island.
Find It
63 Cowpens St
Shore side of Pier Foxtrot Five, standing guard near the bow of the USS Missouri.
Visit Ford Island
Honoring the commander of the largest ocean area in history. Remember to bring valid photo ID for the shuttle.
Get DirectionsHistory & Background
Chester William Nimitz was born in Fredericksburg, Texas in 1885 and rose to become one of the most consequential military leaders in American history. Following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, he was appointed Commander in Chief of the Pacific Fleet — a shattered force in urgent need of both ships and confidence. Nimitz arrived in Hawaii on Christmas Day 1941 and began rebuilding immediately.
His career-defining achievement was the Battle of Midway in June 1942. Relying on intelligence decrypted by Navy codebreakers, Nimitz positioned his vastly outgunned fleet to ambush the Japanese strike force, sinking four Japanese aircraft carriers and turning the strategic tide of the Pacific War. Over the next three years, he oversaw the island-hopping campaign that brought American forces ever closer to the Japanese home islands. In December 1944, he was promoted to the newly created rank of Fleet Admiral — a five-star grade held by only four officers in U.S. Navy history.
The 9-foot bronze statue, dedicated in 2013, stands at the entrance to the Battleship Missouri Memorial on Ford Island, Pearl Harbor. It was sculpted by Rip Caswell and depicts Nimitz in the khaki uniform he wore during active operations — not the formal dress blues of peacetime ceremony. At the base, a bronze horseshoe references his favorite hobby, and an inscription honors the 2.5 million sailors who served under his command.
What to Expect
The Ford Island Experience
Ford Island is accessed by a shuttle bus from the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center. The island is an active military installation, so access is controlled and requires passing through the main visitor center checkpoint. Once there, visitors can tour the USS Missouri, the USS Oklahoma Memorial, and other significant Pacific War sites in addition to viewing the Nimitz statue.
Admission & Ticketing
Access to the Nimitz statue requires purchasing a ticket to the Battleship Missouri Memorial. The statue stands at the entrance and can be viewed upon arrival. The full Missouri tour offers an extraordinary look at the ship where the Japanese Instrument of Surrender was signed on September 2, 1945 — with Nimitz signing for the United States.
Nearby Attractions
USS Arizona Memorial
The most visited site at Pearl Harbor, the USS Arizona Memorial spans the sunken hull of the battleship that sank on December 7, 1941, with 1,177 of her crew. The memorial is free but requires a timed pass, which should be reserved in advance. The boat ride to and from the memorial provides a striking view of the harbor and the oil still seeping from the wreck after more than 80 years.
Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum
Also on Ford Island, this museum houses an extraordinary collection of World War II aircraft in two original hangars that were strafed during the December 7 attack. Bullet holes are preserved in the walls. Aircraft on display include Japanese Zeros, a PBY Catalina, and a B-25 Mitchell bomber. The museum offers interactive simulators and rotating exhibits.
USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park
Located at the main Pearl Harbor Visitor Center complex, the Bowfin is one of the most celebrated American submarines of World War II. Self-guided audio tours take visitors through every compartment of the actual submarine, offering a visceral sense of life aboard a WWII fleet boat. The adjacent museum covers submarine history from the Civil War to the present.