The lead ship of the world's most powerful and capable class of warships, USS Nimitz (CVN-68) has answered her country's call many times in response to regional and international crises. In doing so, she has secured a prominent place in history, just like her namesake, Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz. Her keel was laid down on June 22, 1968 at Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company. She was commissioned on May 3, 1975 by President Gerald Ford.

Nimitz began her first deployment on July 7, 1976, departing Norfolk for the Mediterranean. In November 1976, she was awarded the Battle “E” from Commander, Naval Air Forces Atlantic Fleet, for being the most efficient and foremost aircraft carrier in the Atlantic Fleet. During the ship's third cruise to the Mediterranean beginning September 10, 1979, she was dispatched to strengthen the US Naval presence in the Indian Ocean area as tensions rose over the Iran hostage crisis. Four months later, Operation Evening Light was launched from Nimitz in an attempt to rescue the hostages, but was aborted when the number of operational helicopters fell below the minimum needed to transport the attack force and hostages out of Iran.

On June 14, 1985, two Lebanese Shiite Muslim gunmen hijacked TWA Flight 847, which was carrying 153 passengers and crew. In response, Nimitz was ordered to steam at flank speed to the Eastern Mediterranean off the coast of Lebanon, where she remained until August. In September 1988, she operated off the South Korean coast to provide security for the Olympic Games in Seoul. On October 29, she began operating in the North Arabian Sea, taking part in Operation Earnest Will. This operation called for US Navy ships to protect shipping lanes and escort US registered Kuwaiti tankers.

On September 1, 1997, Nimitz set out on a cruise around the world, but this deployment was cut short when the ship was ordered into the Arabian Gulf to support Operation Southern Watch and various United Nation initiatives. On April 2, 2007, she departed on a six-month deployment in the Arabian Sea, relieving USS Eisenhower. She reached Chennai, India on July 2 as part of efforts to expand bilateral defense cooperation between India and the United States. The carrier returned to North Island in San Diego on September 30, 2007.

With the USS Nimitz wooden ship model, one can almost hear the roar of the ocean waves. It is an exact replica of the original, handmade with vigilance, from the very first to the last step. Master craftsmen diligently carve high quality mahogany to create the ship's form. After it is sanded and puttied, skilled artists paint on the intricate details. Hand-casted resin and handmade metal parts also constitute the model. Clear lacquer provides the finishing touch and long-lasting protection. Each ship comes on a a display base with brass pedestals and a brass name plate. All items then undergo quality control and are delivered to eagerly waiting customers in professionally-packaged wood crates via FedEx Next Day Air. More than just a display piece, the Nimitz ship model is a work of art.