TracesOfWar needs your help! Every euro, pound or dollar you contribute greatly supports the continuation of this website. Go to stiwot.nl and donate!

Fletcher, Frank Jack

Date of birth:
April 29th, 1885 (Marshalltown/Iowa, United States)
Date of death:
April 25th, 1973 (Bethesda/Maryland, United States)
Service number:
0-6132
Nationality:
American (1776 - present, Republic)

Biography

Do you have more information about this person? Inform us!

Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
Rank:
Lieutenant
Unit:
U.S.S. Florida (BB-30), U.S. Navy
Awarded on:
December 4th, 1915
"For distinguished conduct in battle attached to the U.S.S. FLORIDA, during the engagements of Vera Cruz, Mexico, 21 and 22 April 1914. Under fire, Lieutenant 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. Lieutenant 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."

War Department, General Orders No. 177
Medal of Honor - Army (MoH)
Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
Rank:
Commander
Unit:
U.S.S. Benham (DD-49), U.S. Navy
"For distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. BENHAM, engaged in the important, exacting and hazardous duty of patrolling the waters infested with enemy submarines and mines, in escorting and protecting vitally important convoys of troops and supplies through these waters, and in offensive and defensive action, vigorously and unremittingly prosecuted against all forms of enemy naval activity during World War I."
Navy Cross
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Vice Admiral
Unit:
Task Force, Pacific Fleet, U.S. Navy
Awarded on:
August 1942
Awarded for:
Operation MI
Distinguished Service Medal - Navy/USMC
"For exceptionally meritorious service as Task Force Commander, United States Pacific Fleet. In that position of great responsibility Vice Admiral Fletcher exercised command of his Task Force with marked skill and resourcefulness, as a result of which heavy losses were inflicted on the enemy in the Coral Sea in May, 1942, and again, off Midway Island in June, 1942."

Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 305
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Vice Admiral
Unit:
U.S. Naval North Pacific Force and Area, U.S. Navy
Awarded on:
1945
Distinguished Service Medal - Army (DSM)
"For exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility. In the highly responsible position of Commander of the United States Naval North Pacific Force and Area from October 1943 to August 1945, Vice Admiral Fletcher displayed broad vision, tireless energy, and an unusually complete grasp of Army Air Forces tactics and capabilities in expertly solving the many problems involved in combined Army-Navy air operations. His professional ability and able leadership in the vast wartime expansion and organization of naval installations in the North Pacific Area contributed much to the smooth and efficient accomplishment of the over-all mission of the United States Forces."

War Department, General Orders No. 104

Sources

Photo

Themes