Nimtz was inducted in the United States Army as a private on June 13, 1941, serving until February 14, 1947, and attaining the rank of lieutenant colonel.

Upon returning home after the war, Nimtz served as a colonel in the United States Army Reserve.

In 1958 he co-sponsored legislation in Congress creating the Lincoln Sesquicentennial Commission, to which he was subsequently appointed vice-chairman.

After his term in Congress, Nimtz attended the United States Army Command and General Staff College, graduating in 1965.

This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress