Chester William Nimitz was born in Fredericksburg, Texas, on February 24, 1885, just six months after his father's death. Young Nimitz's main role model was his grandfather who had been a German merchant marine, one of the first Texas Rangers and an Allied captain. His grandfather's experiences and guidance were influential in building Nimitz's charisma and accomplishments. His grandfather told him that “the sea – like life itself – is a stern taskmaster. The best way to get along with both is to learn everything you can, then do your best and not worry, especially about things you have no control over. “Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why violent video games should not be banned”? Get an original essay Nimitz wanted to enrich his education. However, due to financial constraints, he had no choice but to enlist in the army; his first school choice was West Point Military Academy, and he applied at age 15. Unfortunately, there were no vacancies available. He subsequently studied hard for the only appointment available at the Academy Annapolis Navalman. He graduated from the Naval Academy 7th in his class of 114 in 1905. He had dropped out of high school to attend it and did not receive his high school diploma until decades later, when he was an admiral. He was nicknamed "Matty." in the academy for his excellence in mathematics and the physical exercise of sit-ups. His classmates said of him that he was "a man of yesterday cheerful and of tomorrow confident." Ensign Nimitz was assigned to the warship OHIO (BB-12) after his graduation. He was later transferred to the cruiser Baltimore (C-3). In 1908, he was a midshipman who had served on four ships before managing the fifth, the Decatur, which ran aground on a sandbar in the Philippines. He was court-martialed and received a letter of reprimand. A quick learner, he began training in the First U-boat Flotilla in January 1909 and was in command of the flotilla by May. By November 1910 he also had command of the USS Plunger, USS Snapper, and USS Narwhal. At the end of 1911, he was the commander of the 3rd submarine division of the Atlantic torpedo fleet. In 1912, Lieutenant Nimitz received the Navy Silver Lifesaving Medal for saving a shipmate from drowning. He wore this medal throughout the remainder of his career, along with the five Distinguished Service Medals for wartime exploits. In June 1912, young Lieutenant Chester W. Nimitz addressed the Naval War College on the topic of submarines: "Defensive and Offensive Tactics of Submarines." Even then, Nimitz anticipated the submarine as the supreme destroyer it turned out to be during World War II. In early 1913, the Navy, mesmerized by the performance of the diesel engine, Lieutenant Nimitz was seconded to the task of studying diesel engines, particularly the working drawings of diesel engines prepared at the diesel engine plants in Nuremberg, Germany, and Ghent , Belgium. Returning to the New York Navy Yard, Nimitz's job was to supervise the construction and installation of two 2,600 horsepower diesel engines of a tanker named MAUMEE. Nimitz was promoted to the rank of lieutenant commander in 1917. Over the next few years, Nimitz proved himself through several endeavors. In 1918, during World War I, he was appointed chief of staff to Admiral Samuel S. Robinson, commander of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet's submarine force, and received a letter of commendation for meritorious service. That same year he was appointed senior member of the Board of Submarine Design. From 1926 to 1929 he was assigned.