Pacific Fleet Change of Command, 31 December 1941. Return to Naval Historical Center home page. Return to Online Library listing Online Library of Selected Images: -- EVENTS -- World War II in the Pacific -- The post-Pearl Harbor raid shakeup of the Pacific Fleet's leadership, begun on 17 December 1941 when Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox relieved Admiral Husband E. Kimmel and temporarily replaced him with Vice Admiral William S. Pye, was completed on the last day of the year. On the morning of 31 December, in ceremonies on board USS Grayling (SS-209) at Pearl Harbor Submarine Base, Admiral Chester W. Admiral Nimitz, who had arrived at Pearl Harbor on Christmas day after a seven-day train and aircraft trip from Washington, D.C., had spent another six days in conferences and briefings on the dismal war situation and sobering condition of his new command. At the Submarine Base immediately following the ceremony aboard Grayling, Nimitz had briefly addressed a gathering of senior officers, including his immediate predecessors.
Adm. Kimmel Testifies On Pearl Harbor, 1946/01/14. Magazine Cover: Admiral Kimmel - Dec. 15, 1941 - Pearl Harbor - Admirals - Navy - Military - World War II. US People--Kimmel, Husband E., Rear Admiral, USN. Kimmel Family Record -- Admiral Husband E. Kimmel.