INTRODUCTIONPresident Franklin D. Roosevelt recalled December 7, 1941, the day of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, as "a date that will remain 'infamy'. This description remains accurate, almost 70 years after the attack on American soil. However, few people have the same emotional connection to the events at Pearl Harbor as does former Admiral Edward Kimmel, the man who served as "Commander in Chief" at Pearl Harbor. The events of that day resulted in the removal of his rank of “Admiral”. Kimmel's Military Background Admiral E. Kimmel's husband grew up in Henderson, Kentucky, as one of seven children, and graduated valedictorian of his high school. Although he initially planned to attend West Point, he was not accepted and so he entered the United States Naval Academy in May 1900. Kimmel graduated from the Naval Academy on February 1, 1904 and was then sent to serve in the Ordnance Department on February 1, 1904. the battleship USS Kentucky. He continued to rise through the ranks in the years that followed, and in 1914, after being promoted lieutenant, he was appointed "assistant and fleet artillery officer on the staff of the commander in head of the Pacific Fleet. (p. 58, Betrayed). During World War I, Kimmel rose to the rank of lieutenant commander, in addition to serving as squadron artillery officer, executive officer of the Arkansas, production officer of the Naval Gun Factory, and commander of the Destroyer Division 45. Kimmel was considered very highly regarded by his superiors, being described as "a versatile officer of great promise" and "a splendid officer of high moral character." (Betrayed, 59). Chief of Naval Operations Admiral William V. Pratt even said of Kimmel: "He is a very efficient driver and worker...... middle of paper ...... Richardson, David Charles, Vice Admiral of the United States. Navy. "A critical analysis of the Department of Defense report dated December 1, 1995, regarding the advancement of Rear Admiral Husband E. Kimmel and Lieutenant General Walter C. Short on the retired list." August 4, 1997. PDF file. Stinnett, Robert B. Day of Deceit: The Truth About FDR and Pearl Harbor. New York: Touchstone, 2000. Print.United. Senate. "Report of the Commission Appointed by the President of the United States to Investigate and Report the Facts Relating to the Attack by Japanese Armed Forces on Pearl Harbor in the Territory of Hawaii on December 7, 1941." Attack on Pearl Harbor by Japanese armed forces. By Owen J. Roberts. Np: np, 1942. ibiblio. Internet. December 1. 2011..