Husband E. Kimmel was born in Henderson, Kentucky, on 26 February 1882 and graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1904. Before reaching flag rank, he served in several battleships, commanded two destroyer divisions, a destroyer squadron and USS New York (BB-34). He also held a number of important positions on flag staffs and in the Navy Department, and completed the senior course at the Naval War College.
After promotion to Rear Admiral in 1937, he commanded Cruiser Division Seven on a diplomatic cruise to South America and then became Commander Cruisers, Battle Force in 1939. In February 1941 he became Commander in Chief, U.S. Fleet and Pacific Fleet, with the temporary rank of Admiral. Operating from the advanced base at Pearl Harbor, Kimmel led his fleet during the months of vigorous training that preceded the outbreak of the Pacific War. Relieved of his fleet command in mid-December 1941, following the the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, Kimmel reverted to the rank of Rear Admiral and retired in March 1942. Rear Admiral Kimmel died at Groton, Connecticut, on 14 May 1968.
This page features a selection of photographs of Husband E. Kimmel.
If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions." |
Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.
Photo #: NH 100809 Commander Husband E. Kimmel, USN Photographed by Harris & Ewing, Washington, D.C., June 1923. Commander Kimmel was then serving at the Naval Gun Factory, Washington Navy Yard, D.C. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 54KB; 505 x 765 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 48589 Captain Husband E. Kimmel, USN Photographed circa 1926-1937. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 66KB; 590 x 765 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 50266 Rear Admiral Husband E. Kimmel, USN, Commander, Cruiser Division Seven (COMCRUDIV 7) Photographed circa 1939, probably on board his flagship, USS San Francisco (CA-38). U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 73KB; 550 x 765 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 54303 Rear Admiral Husband E. Kimmel, USN Photographed in Full Dress uniform, circa 1937-41. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 72KB; 600 x 765 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 82800 Admiral Husband E. Kimmel, USN, Commander in Chief, U.S. Fleet and Pacific Fleet Photographed at his Pearl Harbor headquarters, circa February-December 1941. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 66KB; 515 x 765 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 57100 Admiral Husband E. Kimmel, USN, Commander in Chief, U.S. Fleet and Pacific Fleet, (center) Confers with his Chief of Staff, Captain William W. Smith, (right) and his Operations Officer and Assistant Chief of Staff, Captain Walter S. Delany (left), at Pearl Harbor, 1941. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 106KB; 740 x 615 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 62021 Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, USN, Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet, (right center) Addresses senior officers at Pearl Harbor, 31 December 1941, the day he took command. Photographed in front of the Torpedo Building at Quarry Point. Standing at right is Rear Admiral Husband E. Kimmel, who had held the command until 17 December. Those standing in line at left are identified in Photo # NH 62021 (Complete caption) Collection of Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, USN. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 78KB; 740 x 625 pixels |
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If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions." |
Page made 25 May 1999
Text corrected and coding updated 18 August 2004