Vice Admiral Frank Jack Fletcher, USN Photographed on board ship, 17 September 1942. Official U.S. Navy Photograph

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. Fletcher was the operational commander at the Battle of the Coral Sea in 1942, prelude to the Battle of Midway. He was the nephew of Admiral Frank Friday Fletcher. Download high resolution version (590x746, 67 KB)VAdm. ... Download high resolution version (590x746, 67 KB)VAdm. ... April 29 is the 119th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (120th in leap years). ... 1885 (MDCCCLXXXV) is a common year starting on Thursday. ... April 25 is the 115th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (116th in leap years). ... 1973 (MCMLXXIII) was a common year starting on Monday. ... Admiral is a word from the Arabic term Amir-al-bahr (commander of the sea). ... The United States Navy (USN) is the branch of the United States armed forces responsible for naval operations. ... World War I, also known as the First World War, and (before 1939) the Great War, the War of the Nations, and the War to End All Wars, was a world conflict lasting from August 1914 to the final Armistice (cessation of hostilities) on November 11, 1918. ... Combatants Allied Powers Axis Powers Commanders {{{commander1}}} {{{commander2}}} Strength {{{strength1}}} {{{strength2}}} Casualties 17 million military deaths 8 million military deaths {{{notes}}} World War II, also known as the Second World War, was a military conflict that took place between 1939 and 1945. ... Combatants United States, Australia Japan Commanders Frank Jack Fletcher Shigeyoshi Inoue Strength 2 large carriers, 3 cruisers 2 large carriers, 1 small carrier, 4 cruisers Casualties 1 large carrier, 1 destroyer, 1 oil tanker, 543 personnel 1 small carrier, 1 destroyer, 1,074 personnel The Battle of the Coral Sea... This article is about the year. ... Combatants United States Japan Commanders Chester Nimitz Frank J. Fletcher Raymond A. Spruance Isoroku Yamamoto Chuichi Nagumo Yamaguchi Tamon Strength Three carriers, about 50 support ships 233 carrier aircraft; 127 land-based aircraft Four carriers, about 150 support ships 248 carrier aircraft; 16 floatplanes Casualties 1 carrier, 1 destroyer sunk... Admiral Frank Friday Fletcher (November 23, 1855 – November 28, 1928) was an American naval officer of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. ...

Early Life and Naval Career

Fletcher was born in Marshalltown, Iowa, on April 29, 1885. Appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy from his native state in 1902, he graduated from Annapolis on February 12, 1906 and commissioned an Ensign on February 13, 1908 following two years at sea. Marshalltown is a city located in Marshall County, Iowa. ... Official language(s) English Capital Des Moines Largest city Des Moines Area  - Total  - Width  - Length  - % water  - Latitude  - Longitude Ranked 26th 145,743 km² 320 km 500 km 0. ... The United States Naval Academy (USNA) is an institution for the undergraduate education of officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps and is located in Annapolis, Maryland. ... 1902 (MCMII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... February 12 is the 43rd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1906 (MCMVI) was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... Insignia of a United States Navy Ensign In the military of various countries, ensign is a junior rank of commissioned officer. ... February 13 is the 44th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1908 (MCMVIII) is a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ...

The early years of his career were spent on the battleships Rhode Island, Ohio, and Maine. He also spent time on USS Eagle and USS Franklin. In November 1909 he was assigned to USS Chauncey, a unit of the Asiatic Torpedo Flotilla. 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. For distinguished conduct in battle at Vera Cruz he was awarded the Medal of Honor (see citation below). HMS Victory in 1884 Battleship was the name given to the most powerfully gun-armed and most heavily armored warships between the 15th and 20th Centuries. ... The second USS Rhode Island (BB-17) was a United States Navy Virginia-class battleship. ... USS Ohio (BB-12), a Maine-class pre-Dreadnought battleship, was the third ship of the United States Navy named for the 17th state. ... USS Maine (BB-10), the lead ship of her class of battleships, was the second ship of the United States Navy to be named in honor of the 23rd state. ... The fourth USS Eagle served in the United States Navy from 1898 to 1919, and saw action in the Spanish-American War and World War I. Eagle, a yacht, was built in 1890 as Almy by Harlan and Hollingsworth, Wilmington, Delaware; purchased by the Navy 2 April 1898 and renamed... The fourth USS Franklin of the United States Navy was a screw frigate. ... 1909 (MCMIX) was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... The first USS Chauncey (DD-3) (originally Destroyer No. ... The second USS Dale (DD-4) was a Bainbridge class destroyer in the United States Navy. ... -1... 1912 (MCMXII) was a leap year starting on Monday in the Gregorian calendar (or a leap year starting on Tuesday in the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... The fifth United States Navy ship Florida (BB-30) was a Florida class battleship, the lead ship of her class of two (USS Utah (BB-31) being the other). ... 1912 (MCMXII) was a leap year starting on Monday in the Gregorian calendar (or a leap year starting on Tuesday in the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... See: Veracruz (city) (Mexico) Veracruz (state) (Mexico) Vera Cruz, Indiana Vera Cruz, Bahia, Brazil Vera Cruz, São Paulo, Brazil This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... 1914 (MCMXIV) is a common year starting on Thursday. ... The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States. ...

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. After a year at this post, he returned to the Naval Academy for duty in the Executive Department. 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 distinguised 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. The Atlantic Fleet (USLANTFLT) of the United States Navy is the part of the Navy responsible for operations in around the Atlantic Ocean. ... World War I, also known as the First World War, and (before 1939) the Great War, the War of the Nations, and the War to End All Wars, was a world conflict lasting from August 1914 to the final Armistice (cessation of hostilities) on November 11, 1918. ... USS Kearsarge (BB-5), the lead ship of her class of battleships, was the first ship of the United States Navy to be named, by act of Congress, in honor of the famous American Civil War sloop of war Kearsarge. ... 1917 (MCMXVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 13-day slower Julian calendar. ... The second USS Allen (DD-66), a Sampson class destroyer, served in the United States Navy and was named for William Henry Allen, a naval officer during the War of 1812. ... 1918 (MCMXVIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar. ... The first USS Benham (DD-49) was a Aylwin-class destroyer in the United States Navy. ... 1918 (MCMXVIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar. ... For other uses, see Europe (disambiguation). ... The Navy Cross The Navy Cross is the second highest medal that can be awarded by the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps. ...

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. Returning to Washington, he was head of the Detail Section, Enlisted Personnel Division in the Bureau of Navigation from April 1919 until September 1922. 1919 (MCMXIX) was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... USS Crane (DD-109) was a Wickes-class destroyer in the United States Navy. ... This page is a candidate for speedy deletion. ... The first USS Gridley (DD-92) was a Wickes-class destroyer in the United States Navy during the World War I. She was named in honor of Charles Vernon Gridley . ... ... The Bureau of Navigation was an agency established in 1884 to enforce US laws laws relating to the construction, equipment, operation, inspection, safety, and documentation of merchant vessels. ... 1922 (MCMXXII) was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ...

Interwar Service

He returned to the Asiatic Station, having consecutive command of the USS Whipple, USS Sacramento, USS Rainbow, and Submarine Base, Cavite. He served at the Washington Navy Yards from March 1925 to 1927; became Executive Officer of USS Colorado; and completed the Senior Course at the Naval War College, Newport in June 1930. The Asiatic Squadron, also known as the Asiatic Station, was the fleet of United States Navy warships and supporting elements stationed in the Pacific Ocean in the 19th century. ... The second USS Whipple (DD- 217) was a Clemson-class destroyer in the United States Navy. ... The second USS Sacramento (PG-19) was a gunboat in the United States Navy. ... USS Rainbow (AS-7) is the only ship in the United States Navy by that name. ... Cavite is a province of the Philippines located on the southern shores of Manila Bay in the CALABARZON region in Luzon, just 30 kilometers south of Manila. ... The Washington Navy Yard is the U.S. Navys oldest shore establishment. ... 1925 (MCMXXV) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will take you to calendar). ... 1927 (MCMXXVII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will take you to calendar). ... USS Colorado (BB-45), the third ship of the United States Navy named in honor of the 38th state, was the lead ship of her class of battleships. ... Logo of the Naval War College The Naval War College (NWC) of the United States Navy is an education and research institution that specializes in developing ideas for naval warfare and passing them along to officers of the Navy. ... A side street in Newport, Rhode Island, showing the historic buildings near the waterfront Newport is a city located in Newport County, Rhode Island, about 30 miles (48 km) south of Providence. ... 1930 (MCMXXX) is a common year starting on Wednesday. ...

Fletcher became Chief of Staff to the Commander in Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet in August 1931. In the summer of 1933 he was transferred to the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations. Following this assignment he had duty from November 1933 to May 1936 as Aide to the Secretary of the Navy, the Honorable Claude A. Swanson. He assumed command of USS New Mexico, flagship of Battleship Division THREE in June 1936. In December 1937 he became a member of the Naval Examining Board, and became Assistant Chief of Bureau of Navigation in June 1938. Returning to the Pacific between September 1939 and December 1941 he became Commander Cruiser Division THREE; Commander Cruiser Division SIX; Commander Cruiser's Scouting Force; and Commander Cruiser Division FOUR. 1931 (MCMXXXI) is a common year starting on Thursday. ... 1933 (MCMXXXIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar). ... The Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) is the senior military officer in the United States Navy. ... 1936 (MCMXXXVI) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ... Flag of the United States Secretary of the Navy. ... Claude Augustus Swanson (March 31, 1862–July 7, 1939) was an American politician. ... New Mexico (BB-40) was a United States Navy battleship, lead ship of her class. ... 1936 (MCMXXXVI) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ... 1937 (MCMXXXVII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar). ... 1938 (MCMXXXVIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will take you to calendar). ... For other meanings of Pacific, see Pacific (disambiguation). ... 1939 (MCMXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar). ... For the movie, see 1941 (film) 1941 (MCMXLI) was a common year starting on Wednesday. ...

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. After supporting the reinforcement of strategically vital South Pacific islands, his task force raided Japanese positions in the Central Pacific, New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. In May and June 1942, he was senior officer present during the Battle of the Coral Sea, and the Battle of Midway, in which the Japanese fleet was decisively repulsed. 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. // Early Career The third USS Yorktown (CV-5) was lead ship of the Yorktown class aircraft carrier of World War II, sunk at the Battle of Midway. ... Combatants United States, Australia Japan Commanders Frank Jack Fletcher Shigeyoshi Inoue Strength 2 large carriers, 3 cruisers 2 large carriers, 1 small carrier, 4 cruisers Casualties 1 large carrier, 1 destroyer, 1 oil tanker, 543 personnel 1 small carrier, 1 destroyer, 1,074 personnel The Battle of the Coral Sea... Combatants United States Japan Commanders Chester Nimitz Frank J. Fletcher Raymond A. Spruance Isoroku Yamamoto Chuichi Nagumo Yamaguchi Tamon Strength Three carriers, about 50 support ships 233 carrier aircraft; 127 land-based aircraft Four carriers, about 150 support ships 248 carrier aircraft; 16 floatplanes Casualties 1 carrier, 1 destroyer sunk... Guadalcanal, a 2,510 square mile (6,500 km²) island in the Pacific Ocean and a province of the Solomon Islands, is largely a jungle. ... Battle of the Eastern Solomons Conflict World War II, Pacific War Date August 24, 1942 – August 25, 1942 Place North of Santa Isabel, United States Japan Commanders William Halsey, Jr. ...

In November 1942, he became Commander, Thirteenth Naval District and Commander, Northwestern Sea Frontier. A year later, he was placed in charge of the Northern Pacific area, holding that position until after the end of World War II, when his forces occupied northern Japan. Vice Admiral Fletcher's final duty was as Chairman of the General Board, and he was advanced to the rank of Admiral upon retirement in May 1947.

Last Years; Legacy

Admiral Frank Jack Fletcher died on 25 April 1973 at the Bethesda Naval Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery. April 25 is the 115th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (116th in leap years). ... 1973 (MCMLXXIII) was a common year starting on Monday. ... Arlington Cemetery Arlington National Cemetery, in Arlington, Virginia, is an American military cemetery established during the American Civil War on the grounds of Robert E. Lees home. ...

USS Fletcher (DD-992) is named in honor of Admiral Fletcher. USS Fletcher (DD-992), the thirtieth Spruance-class destroyer, was named after Admiral Frank Jack Fletcher and the second ship in the United States Navy to bear this name. ...

Medal of Honor Citation

For distinguished conduct in battle, engagements of Vera Cruz, 21 and 22 April 1914. Under fire, Lt. Fletcher was eminent and conspicuous in performance of his duties. He was in charge of the Esperanze and succeeded in getting on board over 350 refugees, many of them after the conflict had commenced. Although the ship was under fire, being struck more than 30 times, he succeeded in getting all the refugees placed in safety. Lt. Fletcher was later placed in charge of the train conveying refugees under a flag of truce. This was hazardous duty, as it was believed that the track was mined, and a small error in dealing with the Mexican guard of soldiers might readily have caused a conflict, such a conflict at one time being narrowly averted. It was greatly due to his efforts in establishing friendly relations with the Mexican soldiers that so many refugees succeeded in reaching Vera Cruz from the interior.

External links

• http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/pers-us/uspers-f/fj-fltr.htm
• http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/fj-fletc.htm