The war against Japan was fought across the widest battlefield in history, an ocean of thousands of miles. Winning it took fleets, armies and air forces working together, and a handful of American commanders shaped the whole campaign, from the disaster of Pearl Harbor to the surrender in Tokyo Bay.
Chester Nimitz. The calm Fleet Admiral who commanded the Pacific Fleet, won the turning point at Midway, and directed the island-hopping drive on Japan.
General Douglas MacArthur, President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Admiral Chester W. Nimitz aboard USS Baltimore at Pearl Harbor on 26 July 1944, with Admiral William D. Leahy behind them. US Navy photograph. Public domain
Douglas MacArthur. The general who was driven from the Philippines, vowed to return, and led the Southwest Pacific campaign back to it.
William Halsey. The aggressive 'Bull,' who rallied the fleet in 1942 and led the Third Fleet in the great battles of 1944 and 1945.
Admiral William F. Halsey Jr., in a portrait from his official naval personnel file, around 1945. US Navy photograph. Public domain
Two roads to Tokyo
The Pacific was really won along two lines of advance: Nimitz's fleet and Marines driving across the central Pacific through Midway, the Marianas and Iwo Jima, and MacArthur's army coming up from the southwest through New Guinea and the Philippines, with Halsey's fast carriers ranging ahead. Together they closed on Japan and ended the war in 1945. See where they fought among the greatest battles in American history.
"Superpower in the Pacific", a map by Robert M. Chapin Jr. for Time magazine, April 1944, with arrows marking Nimitz's drive across the central Pacific and MacArthur's advance from the southwest. Public domain
Frequently asked questions
Who were the American commanders of the Pacific War?
The most famous are Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz, General Douglas MacArthur and Admiral William 'Bull' Halsey, who led the US fleets and armies against Japan.
Who was in overall command in the Pacific?
Command was split: Nimitz ran the Pacific Ocean Areas with the fleet, while MacArthur commanded the Southwest Pacific; they advanced on Japan along two converging lines.
What was the turning point of the Pacific War?
The Battle of Midway in June 1942, where Nimitz's carriers sank four Japanese fleet carriers and broke Japan's offensive power.
How did the United States defeat Japan?
By destroying the Japanese fleet, seizing island bases through amphibious assault, cutting Japan's supply lines and bombing its cities, ending the war in 1945.
Did MacArthur and Nimitz get along?
They ran rival commands and sometimes competed for resources and strategy, but their two drives ultimately worked together to close on Japan.
Where can I read about their battles?
Each commander links to their key battles, and the greatest battles in American history covers Midway, Iwo Jima, Leyte Gulf and more.
Win the war in the Pacific
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