1941年12月7日,正在听音乐会的尼米兹被紧急叫到一部电话旁,电话是罗斯福总统打来的。总统在电话中语气沉重而严肃地对他说:“我们的珍珠港被日本人轰炸,我们的太平洋舰队命悬一线,我已决定任命你为太平洋舰队司令,我相信,你能挽救它。”在珍珠港,清点后的损失报告交到了尼米兹手中,令他不忍卒读。7艘大型舰艇沉没,6艘遭到重创,飞机损失450架,伤亡3800人…… On December 7, 1941, Nimitz, who was listening to the concert, was called urgently to a phone call coming from President Roosevelt. The President spoke to him heavily and seriously on the phone: “Our Pearl Harbor was bombed by the Japanese. Our Pacific fleet was on the fly. I have decided to appoint you as commander of the Pacific Fleet. I believe you can save it.” "In Pearl Harbor, after the inventory of the loss report handed Nimitz, so he could not bear to read. Seven large ships sunk, six have been hit hard, 450 aircraft loss, casualties of 3800 people ......