 Pitka was also one of the main organizers of the Estonian Navy.In December 1918 he became the Commander of the Estonian Navy and led it in all major operations including supporting the Estonian 1st Division in the capture of Narva from the Russian SFSR in January 1919 and supporting the Estonian 3rd Division by attacking Landeswehr naval fortifications at Riga in July 1919.In September 1919 he achieved the rank of a rear admiral.