[7] She was born in León, Nicaragua in 1912 to British parents,[8] William Oscar Stonewall and Frances Mary (née Wells) Labern.

[11] Joan came to the United States in 1938 to study dentistry at the University of California Dental School in San Francisco, and met Chester at a cocktail party at Mare Island.

On January 2, 2002, Chester Nimitz Jr. committed voluntary suicide with his wife Joan by ingesting a quantity of sleeping pills in their home at a retirement residence in Needham, Massachusetts.

We have consciously, rationally, deliberately and of our own free will taken measures to end our lives today because of the physical limitations on our quality of life placed upon us by age, failing vision, osteoporosis, back and painful orthopedic problems.Commander 7th Fleet: Serial 03563 (December 24, 1944) The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander Chester William Nimitz, Jr. (NSN: 0-77207), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S.

HADDO (SS-255), on the SEVENTH War Patrol of that submarine during the period 8 August 1944 to 3 October 1944, in enemy controlled waters of the South China Sea.

He displayed sound tactical judgment in his decisions on all attacks and maneuvered his ship expertly to avoid all damage from the counterattacks of enemy anti-submarine vessels and airplanes.

His actions and conduct throughout were an inspiration to his officers and crew and fully in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.Commander Southwest Pacific: Serial 00763 (December 17, 1942) The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Chester William Nimitz, Jr. (NSN: 0-77207), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as Torpedo and Gunnery Officer and later as Executive Officer on two war patrols of the Submarine U.S.S.

He conducted this reconnaissance with two men in a small submarine power boat, close inshore to the designated island and definitely determined that the personnel were not there to be rescued.

His skill in navigation enabled his vessel to operate successfully close inshore in the hazardous enemy controlled waters of the East Indies and South China Seas.

His conduct throughout was an inspiration to the officers and men in his ship, and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.