Description
Inscribed photograph of Admiral Chester W. Nimitz at the Mayflower Hotel, being made an honorary Chief by the Ottawa Indian Foundation of Michigan. He was given the honorary name of “Be-lea-nage,” meaning “The Winner.”
The photograph was taken by Beth Gore and printed by Harris & Ewing of Washington, D.C. White matte border, measures 14″ x 11″. Rippling along lower edge of matte, fading to the “USN” in the Nimitz signature, lightly bumped corners.
The photograph is inscribed along the bottom quarter of the matte: “To Colonel and Mrs. J. L. Tookey, with best wishes and warm regards – BEKANAGE – Ottawa Chief – Sometimes known as C.W. Nimitz / Fleet Admiral, USN.”
On October 16, 1947, Fleet Admiral Nimitz was made an honorary Chief by the Ottawa Indian Foundation of Michigan at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C. He was given a native headdress by Chef Fred Ettawagaski and smoked a peace pipe.
Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz (1885-1966) was the Commander in Chief of the U.S. Pacific Fleet during WWII. On September 2, 1945, he was the United States signatory to the surrender terms of Japanese forces, aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay. After WWII, he served two years as Chief of Naval Operations. He retired from active service in 1947 and moved to California. Admiral Nimitz died in 1966 and was buried at Golden Gate National Cemetery in San Bruno, California.
