US naval officer, born in Marshalltown, Iowa, USA. He commanded the combined USS Yorktown and USS Lexington task forces at the Battle of Coral Sea (1942), the first sea battle fought entirely in the air. He was the tactical commander at Midway (1942) and commanded the North Pacific naval forces (19435).
| Frank Jack Fletcher | |
|---|---|
| April 29, 1885 - April 25, 1973 | |
|
Vice Admiral Frank Jack Fletcher, USN Photographed on board ship, 17 September 1942. Official U.S. Navy Photograph |
|
| Place of birth | Marshaltown, Iowa |
| Place of death | Bethesda, Maryland |
| Allegiance | USN |
| Years of service | 1906-1947 |
| Rank | Admiral |
| Battles/wars |
Veracruz (1914) World War I World War II o Battle of the Coral Sea o Battle of Midway o Guadalcanal campaign o Tulagi o Eastern Solomons |
| Awards |
Medal of Honor Navy Cross |
Frank Jack Fletcher (29 April 1885 – 25 April 1973) was an admiral in the United States Navy during World War I and World War II.
Early Life and Naval Career
Fletcher was born in Marshalltown, Iowa on April 29, 1885. He also spent time on USS Eagle and USS Franklin. He assumed command of USS Dale in April 1910 and March 1912 returned to Chauncey as Commanding Officer. Transferred to USS Florida in December 1912 he was aboard that battleship during the occupation of Vera Cruz, Mexico, in April 1914.
World War I and Post-War Period
Fletcher became Aide and Flag Lieutenant on the staff of the Commander in Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet in July 1914. Upon the outbreak of World War I he served as Gunnery Officer of USS Kearsarge until September 1917, after which he assumed command of USS Margaret. He was assigned to USS Allen in February 1918 before taking command of USS Benham in May 1918. For distinguished service as Commanding Officer USS Benham, engaged in the important, exacting, and hazardous duty of patrolling European waters and protecting vitally important convoys, he was awarded the Navy Cross.
From October 1918 to February 1919 he assisted in fitting out USS Crane at San Francisco. He then became Commanding Officer of USS Gridley upon her commissioning.
Interwar Service
He returned to the Asiatic Station, having consecutive command of the USS Whipple, USS Sacramento, USS Rainbow, and Submarine Base, Cavite.
Fletcher became Chief of Staff to the Commander in Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet in August 1931. He assumed command of USS New Mexico, flagship of Battleship Division THREE in June 1936.
World War II
In early January 1942, Rear Admiral Fletcher was given command of a US-Australian task force, with the carrier USS Yorktown (CV-5) as his flagship. As the U.S. took the offensive in August 1942, Vice Admiral Fletcher commanded the invasion of Guadalcanal and Tulagi, and fought the carrier Battle of the Eastern Solomons later in the month.
In November 1942, he became Commander, Thirteenth Naval District and Commander, Northwestern Sea Frontier. Legacy
Admiral Frank Jack Fletcher died on 25 April 1973 at the Bethesda Naval Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland.
USS Fletcher (DD-992) is named in honor of Admiral Fletcher.
Medal of Honor Citation
For distinguished conduct in battle, engagements of Vera Cruz, 21 and 22 April 1914.
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