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Pacific Ocean Areas - Definition and Overview |
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Pacific Ocean Areas was a major Allied military command during World War II. It was one of four major commands during the Pacific War, and one of two United States commands in the Pacific theatre of operations. Admiral Chester Nimitz of the US Navy headed the command throughout its existence.
Nimitz officially controlled all Allied forces and operations in the entire Pacific Ocean and the islands within it. Mainland China was excluded, and a separate command, the South West Pacific Area, included the Philippines, the Territory of New Guinea, and the northern part of the Solomon Islands. US strategic bomber forces in the theatre were under the direct control of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff.
The vast majority of Allied forces in the theatre were from the US Navy and US Marine Corps. However units and/or personnel from the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Fiji and other countries also saw active service.
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