The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1945-10-16
Observations
Nimitz Has Men
Working With Him,
Not For Him
By HELEN EssARY

Dangerous habit-trying 10 find
out what makes other people tick.
/ don't recommend II. Except. OF
course, when you get such a fine
picture OF military commander
as did Of Adm. Chester b. Nimitz
when / began making inquiries.
did want to know about the
Man Eiritz-not the Officer Nimitz.
The Ohioer Nimitz directed the
United States fleet to victory in
the Pacific. What we're the quail
flies OF the Man Nimitz that en-
abled him to achieve such a tri-
umph and retain the affection Of
the Navy? A successful boss is
sometimes enyied. But not this
boss.
What is Chester Nimitz made
off" asked a member of the stan
OF Fleet Adm. Ernest J. King.
why do all admire him so much?
/ like him a lot myself. Clear,
straightforward look in his eyes.
Dry humor. An air OF everlasting
~ knowing what he is about. But
you tell me why his men like to
work for him."
You have the answer yourself.
only backwards" | was told. NO
body works for Nimitz. You work
with him. This is genious In an
organization built in seniority and
discipline. Another thing. Nimitz
doesn't pry into every nook and
Granny he has the right TO investi-
gate.
For example, when he visits
some little outpost, he'll look about
with sharp eyes. Then he'll ask
one or two people, Everything all
right here?' The chances are the
answers will be, Everything nne,
sir
ALSO the chances are that when
the admiral is alone, someone will
waylay him with There 10 little
matter wish to talk TO you about
ITO such a remark the admiral
IS certain to reply with a frm look,
and 4 qrick You told me every
thing wa5 fine The grumbler
knows his commander means that
II everything isn't right. rs up to
himself, the grumbler, to make II
right Another special talent OF
NimitZ is to give everybody. OF
high or low ranking, the same
courteous attention. He is fair.
That's why we really like him"
| had seen many parades Tor
presidents and potentates pass IN
reviewing stand" / told my young
pressions OF one of the younger
generation TO whom We are leaving
a muddled world.
III give you my seat In the
reviewing stand" l told by young
daughter, "If you promise to write I
your honest impressions"
The promise was given and kept
The result is here:
1.-THE horror OF war was far away
as the NimitZ parade Numbered
down Constitution Ave. War was
again thrilling, exciting, glamorous.
Hundreds Of planes roared In the
sky while thousands OF people
cheered below in the streets.
WAVES and SPARS marched brisk
~ by in their trim, attractive uni
forms.
Tough, handsome veterans pass
cd while girls behind the ropes gig
Rled their admiration. Don't they
look perfectly divine in their battle
dressl'
"As American and Jap airplanes
rolled by, two boys watched with
both awe and usefulness. Said
one boy, Gosh we never even had
q chance 'Aw.' said his friend.
don't worry, we will. - Would
love to fly one OF those Hellcatsi'
a.. oh, sure, well be just the right
age next time
Everyone cheered and clapped
and cheered some more. That II,
almost everyone did. In front OF
me on the reviewing stand sat six
Marine heroes. One had no hands
another only one leg. Photo
graphers snapped their pictures.
Generals and admirals rushed up.
Patted them on the back. Admired
their brightly colored ribbons and
battle stars on the Congressional
Medals Of Honor around their
necks.
The heroes themselves were
silent, AS the great parade moved
on. they watched grimly. The
planes. they remembered night AZ.
ter night Of incessant Jap bomb.
ings-watching their best friends
being blown up. They remember.
ed blood and shrieks OF pain and
broke1, dying men.
But the crowd seemed to have
forgotten horror-at least momen-
tarily."