1116:. Since Nimitz was in Washington, D.C., Vice Admiral William Pye assumed the duties of CinC PAC on December 17, until Nimitz's arrival. Pye brought in personnel from his staff (he commanded the Pacific Fleet battleships), and debates began regarding the intelligence information being provided, primarily whether the Japanese Navy had moved aircraft carriers to Wake in support of their invasion. On December 22, the Japanese began another invasion attempt of Wake. Given the new assault and a lack of understanding regarding the disposition of Japanese naval forces in the area, Pye ordered TF 14 to return to Pearl Harbor on December 22, abandoning the relief effort. On the return trip, the equipment loaded on
791:
184:
2060:
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.
1750:
1834:
509:
1827:
499:
1911:
1893:
36:
1929:
1866:
1563:, the overall commander, to withdraw his carriers from the dangerous waters when they were no longer needed, claiming that his aircraft losses and fuel state due to maneuvering required him to leave. Fletcher thought that the few American carriers should not be risked against multi-engine, land-based, torpedo bombers, when they were needed for combat against enemy carriers. Fletcher chose to withdraw on the evening of August 8, leaving light forces and many transport ships unprotected from the inevitable Japanese counterattack.
1922:
204:
1586:. The Marines refer to this as the "Navy Bugout", because the reserve Marine regiment and the division's 155 mm (6.1 in) heavy artillery, much of its ammunition and also most of its medical supplies and rations had yet to be unloaded. The Navy's withdrawal left the Marines ashore initially completely unprotected against Japanese land-based air raids from Rabaul and from nightly shelling by Imperial Japanese Navy cruisers and battleships that came down the "Slot" from their large naval and air base at Rabaul.
1877:
1850:
1936:
104:
1905:
1811:
479:
1843:
1887:
1860:
1820:
519:
1109:. Events caused a delay in the departure of TF 14, as well as a delay in D-Day, the date of the actual relief effort. TF 14 sailed west towards Wake Island at less than 13 knots, as fast as the slowest ship could travel, with plans to arrive at Wake Island on December 24 (D-Day). Fletcher had been instructed to fuel prior to arriving at Wake Island. Underway refueling was still a work in progress which took time and required calm sea conditions.
489:
1600:
1371:
1171:
229:
2423:
1721:. He was relieved as commandant in October 1943, but continued to serve as commander Northwestern Sea Frontier until April 15, 1944, when the Northwestern Sea Frontier was abolished and the Alaskan Sea Frontier established. He then became Commander of the latter, with additional duty as Commander North Pacific Force and North Pacific Ocean Area. It was revealed in July 1945 that
1575:. One Australian and three American heavy cruisers were sunk, and another American cruiser and two destroyers were damaged in this lopsided Japanese victory. As Crutchley notes, the transports were not touched. Fletcher is sometimes criticized because his carriers were at the far end of their nightly withdrawal, steaming back for the morning, yet too far away to seek revenge.
1529:. Japan had had seven large carriers—six at the time of the Pearl Harbor attack and one new construction. Four were sunk at Midway. This did not win the war, but evened the odds between Japanese and American fleet carriers. Following the battle, Fletcher was promoted to vice admiral and continued to command a carrier group at sea, after shifting his flag to the carrier
2154:
1705:, was torpedoed and damaged by a Japanese submarine on August 31, 1942. Fletcher himself suffered a gash to his head in the attack, for which he received the Purple Heart. He was relieved of command, sent on leave (his first leave after eight months of continuous combat), and subsequently sent to Alaska.
967:
in June 1938. In
November 1939, Fletcher was promoted to Flag Rank, Rear Admiral, and Commander Cruiser Division Three (Light Cruisers). In June 1940, Rear Admiral Fletcher was placed in command of Cruiser Division Six (Heavy Cruisers), the position he held on December 7, 1941. Fletcher was scheduled
985:
on
December 7, 1941. Admiral Kimmel, Commander in Chief, United States Pacific Fleet (CinC PAC), thought enough of Fletcher to put his name third on a short list of potential successors, if necessary. According to Rear Admiral Thomas Kincaid, although Fletcher was scheduled to become Commander, of
2074:
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
2059:
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
1582:'s offloading of supplies did not go as well as expected because of Japanese air raids. He had to withdraw the transports on the evening of August 9, after Fletcher left and most of his cruisers were sunk, over the strenuous objections of the ground commander, Marine General
1138:. Although a surface fleet admiral, he was chosen over more senior officers to lead the carrier task force. He learned air operations on the job while escorting troops to the South Pacific. He was the junior TF commander under the tutelage of the experts: Vice Admiral
1007:. Kimmel expected Wake Island to hold out in the short run and on December 10, drafted an Operations Order for the relief of Wake. On December 15, Kimmel placed Fletcher in command of Task Force (TF) 14 for the relief of Wake, which consisted of the fleet carrier
1761:, he proceeded to ĹŚminato, Japan, with the North Pacific Force (consisting of about sixty vessels) for the emergency naval occupation of Northern Japan. He remained there until ordered to return to the United States, and on December 17, 1945, was appointed to the
1305:
On May 8, at first light, "round three opened." Fletcher launched 75 aircraft, Hara 69. Fitch had greater experience in handling air operations, and
Fletcher delegated him that function, as he was to do again later with Noyes at Guadalcanal. The aircraft carrier
2142:, who played a fictional naval officer working with Fletcher, wrote in his personal journals that this portrayal was based on the advice of some Navy veterans critical of Fletcher, and he said he and Webber tried to make it as subtle as possible.
1765:. On May 1, 1946, as Senior Member of that Board he became Chairman, and continued to serve in that capacity until relieved of all active duty for his retirement on May 1, 1947, with the rank of full admiral. He retired to his country estate,
1509:
planes, then sank it. At dusk, Fletcher released
Spruance to continue fighting with Task Force 16 the next day. During the next two days, Spruance found two damaged cruisers and sank one. The enemy transport and battle fleets retreated.
1570:
occurred in early morning of August 9, 1942. Allied warships screening the transports were surprised at midnight and defeated in 32 minutes by a
Japanese force of seven cruisers and one destroyer, commanded by Japanese Vice Admiral
1266:, New Guinea, and a carrier strike force was in the area. The morning of May 7, Fletcher sent the Australian cruisers to stop the transports while he sought the carriers. His combat pilots sank the Japanese aircraft carrier
998:
had received reinforcements, including aircraft for defense. At the time of Pearl Harbor, it was under the command of
Commander Winfield Scott Cunningham and included a Marine Corps Defense Battalion, commanded by Major
1779:. In return, he received no consideration by Morison, an attitude picked up by later authors. At least one author felt Fletcher did not get enough credit for forces under his command sinking six Japanese carriers.
2040:
2400:
2665:
2226:
Frank Jack
Fletcher Got a Bum Rap, Part One By John B. Lundstrom June 1992 Naval History Magazine Volume 6 Number 2> <Black Shoe Carrier Admiral by John B. Lundstrom, 2006
1670:. The ensuing battle was essentially a giant aerial dogfight interspersed with shipborne anti-aircraft fire. The United States lost 20 aircraft; the Japanese lost 70.
2695:
1775:
1495:; repairs returned her to the battle until she was hopelessly disabled by a new round of attacks two hours later. Fletcher's scouts found the fourth enemy carrier,
2705:
2690:
2383:
2660:
1713:
From
November 1942 – 1945, Fletcher commanded naval forces in the North Pacific from the Alaskan island of Adak. In November 1942, he became commandant of
2408:
1112:
However, certain events took place that had a drastic impact on the relief effort. The primary event was the relief of Kimmel as CinC PAC by Admiral
2710:
1235:. This was the first carrier-on-carrier battle fought between fleets that never came within sight of each other. Fletcher with the aircraft carrier
2613:
2529:
2675:
968:
to become Commander, Cruisers, Scouting Force, in administrative charge of all heavy cruisers, but the events of December 7 changed those plans.
1341:; neither Japanese carrier would be able to join the fight at Midway the following month. This was the first World War II battle in which the
2563:
1769:, in Maryland. Many of Fletcher's papers were lost in combat. He declined to reconstruct them from Pentagon archives or to be interviewed by
963:
of Battleship Division Three, in June 1936. In December 1937, he became a member of the Naval Examining Board, and became Assistant Chief of
2172:
986:
Cruisers, Scouting Force, Admiral Kimmel postponed this change in order to place Fletcher in command of the Wake Island relief task force.
2700:
2620:
1157:
On April 19, 1942, Fletcher was designated Commander Cruisers, Pacific Fleet, with additional duty as Commander Cruiser Division Four.
2330:
1981:
1548:
1798:), whom Fletcher married in February, 1917, died seventeen months later, on 14 September 1974. She was buried next to her husband.
1241:, Task Force 17, had been patrolling the Coral Sea and rendezvoused with Rear Admiral Aubrey Fitch with the aircraft carrier
2685:
1762:
1290:. Believing they had found a carrier, they severely damaged her after several all-out attacks, and sank her escorting destroyer,
512:
1699:
as it withdrew. This criticism may have affected the decision to not return Fletcher to his command after his flagship carrier,
1345:
had been stopped. In battles at Pearl Harbor, the East Indies, Australia, and Ceylon, they had defeated the British, Dutch, and
1247:, Task Force 11, and a tanker group. Fletcher finished refueling first and headed west. On hearing the enemy was occupying
614:
in 1902, he graduated on February 12, 1906, served two years at sea as required by law at the time, and was commissioned as an
1330:
to achieve victory and withdrew. Now without air cover, the invasion fleet also withdrew, aborting the Port Moresby invasion.
2715:
2443:
1964:
1959:
1559:
was provided at Tulagi. The invasion of Guadalcanal was uncontested on the beach. Fletcher requested permission from Admiral
1463:, the three American carriers—warned by cracked Japanese codes and waiting in ambush—attacked and sank three enemy carriers:
442:
2655:
1766:
1665:
1621:
1476:
1392:
1267:
1192:
584:
1307:
2571:
1552:
1333:
Fletcher had achieved the objective of the mission at the cost of a carrier, a tanker, and a destroyer. In addition, his
2404:
2260:
1496:
1455:. Vice Admiral William Halsey normally commanded this task force, but had become ill and was replaced by Rear Admiral
2680:
2546:
2516:
The Rising Sun in the Pacific, 1931 – April 1942, History of United States Naval Operations in World War II, Volume 3
2504:
2485:
2466:
2368:
2167:
1675:
1647:
1418:
1313:
1218:
403:
79:
57:
17:
1629:
1400:
1200:
50:
502:
1680:
was nearly sunk, but survived. The enemy withdrew without landing troops on Guadalcanal and had to resort to the
1464:
868:, and upon her commissioning on March 8, 1919, assumed command. He was relieved of that command in April 1919.
790:
787:
in July 1914. After a year at this post, he returned to the Naval Academy for duty in the Executive Department.
2000:
1995:
1661:
1625:
1470:
1396:
1196:
927:
447:
350:
2246:
2022:
1722:
415:
383:
2046:
1142:
during the Marshalls-Gilberts raids in February; Vice Admiral Wilson Brown attacking the enemy landings on
623:
1791:
611:
300:
170:
2017:
2670:
1904:
1718:
1714:
1688:
1044:
938:
356:
2112:
2091:
1610:
1514:
1381:
1181:
677:
44:
2575:
1749:
361:
2252:
2012:
1783:
1614:
1385:
1232:
1185:
1151:
1038:
706:, his duty drafting men for the Pacific Fleet and transporting them on board the armored cruiser
631:
565:
549:
427:
331:
232:
1886:
1859:
1251:, Task Force 17 attacked the landing beaches, sinking several small ships before rejoining
700:, of the Atlantic Fleet, in December 1908. In August 1909, he was assigned to the screw frigate
366:
1833:
1342:
1068:
1050:
982:
953:
893:
757:
732:, operating as part of the Asiatic Torpedo Flotilla. Fletcher assumed command of the destroyer
707:
655:
615:
508:
305:
286:
61:
2360:
2122:
2101:
2084:
1990:
1976:
1795:
1660:
Fletcher fought a superior Japanese fleet intent on counter-invasion in the aircraft carrier
1567:
1444:
1004:
942:
923:
828:
753:
588:
536:
258:
2626:
2650:
2645:
2334:
1770:
1583:
1524:
1242:
1056:
964:
913:
909:
887:
876:
822:
627:
564:
through the war; he was the operational task force commander at the pivotal battles of the
437:
279:
2497:
First Team and the Guadalcanal Campaign: Naval Fighter Combat from August to November 1942
1826:
561:
498:
8:
1700:
1530:
1456:
1334:
1297:
1236:
1133:
1080:
1062:
1032:
1008:
863:
743:
727:
701:
459:
375:
272:
251:
109:
1910:
1892:
1543:
As the United States took the offensive in August 1942, Vice Admiral Fletcher commanded
930:
in Washington, D.C., 1930–31, in preparation for strategic leadership responsibilities.
2523:
2455:
2130:
1787:
1579:
1560:
1285:
1272:, escorting the enemy troop ships—"Scratch one flat top." radioed Lieutenant Commander
1256:
1026:
859:
840:
647:
639:
600:
553:
265:
209:
158:
141:
2478:
Black Shoe Carrier Admiral: Frank Jack Fletcher at Coral Sea, Midway & Guadalcanal
2452:
941:. Following this assignment, he served from November 1933 to May 1936, as aide to the
2607:
2542:
2500:
2481:
2462:
2439:
2364:
2357:
Black Shoe Carrier Admiral: Frank Jack Fletcher at Coral Sea, Midway, and Guadalcanal
2312:
2308:
2285:
2281:
2256:
2034:
1556:
1450:
1291:
1113:
1086:
1017:
946:
919:
834:
784:
695:
619:
1928:
2159:
1865:
1432:
1074:
934:
872:
827:
until September 1917, after which he assumed command of yacht-turned-patrol vessel
689:
683:
573:
569:
432:
335:
2100:, the second ship to bear the name, was named for Frank Jack Fletcher. The first,
742:
as her commanding officer. In December 1912, he was transferred to the battleship
2248:
Kinkaid of the Seventh Fleet: A Biography of Admiral Thomas C. Kinkaid, U.S. Navy
2139:
1921:
1273:
1023:
883:
780:
733:
663:
635:
244:
1664:. He initiated the engagement, and the force under his command sank the carrier
1318:, had earlier dodged under a squall. The Japanese attack put two torpedoes into
981:
RAdm Fletcher was serving as Commander Cruiser Division Six and at sea when the
1947:
1876:
1849:
1733:
on March 3 and 4, 1945, and the same task force on February 4, 1945, bombarded
1730:
1726:
1696:
1572:
1312:
was hit, but not damaged below the waterline; it sailed away. Another carrier,
1139:
1000:
937:
in August 1931. In the summer of 1933, he was transferred to the Office of the
795:
761:
667:
659:
580:
482:
454:
1262:
The next day, intelligence reported a Japanese invasion task force headed for
2639:
2427:
2316:
2289:
2135:
1684:: the overnight delivery of a few hundred troops and supplies by destroyers.
1681:
1544:
1460:
1440:
1346:
1129:
852:
From October 1918 to February 1919, he assisted in fitting out the destroyer
643:
370:
346:
341:
327:
189:
103:
2305:
The battle of Savo Island, August 9, 1942: strategical and tactical analysis
2278:
The battle of Savo Island, August 9, 1942: strategical and tactical analysis
1935:
1782:
Fletcher died on April 25, 1973, four days before his 88th birthday, at the
1523:, under tow, on June 5 and sank her along with an escorting destroyer,
1971:
1435:
with two task forces, his usual Task Force 17—with a quickly repaired
1281:
1263:
1147:
1102:
1014:
557:
522:
422:
2592:
1302:
located her, rescued the surviving crew, and sank her with naval gunfire.
2005:
1692:
1350:
995:
899:
818:
717:
651:
410:
398:
293:
1810:
1725:, under his overall command, had made the first penetration through the
875:, he was head of the Detail Section, Enlisted Personnel Division in the
478:
1954:
1734:
1143:
846:
674:
492:
1842:
688:, operating in the Atlantic. After a year in the yacht-turned-gunboat
518:
2118:
2108:
2097:
1354:
1005:
Wake Island of a Japanese bombardment and subsequent invasion attempt
853:
724:
2457:
And I Was There: Pearl Harbor and Midway – Breaking the Secrets
1819:
1599:
1370:
1170:
912:
from March 1925 to 1927; became executive officer of the battleship
488:
1758:
1491:
lost 70 aircraft. Japanese attacks on June 4 severely damaged
1092:
960:
591:, who was also awarded the Medal of Honor for actions at Veracruz.
2384:
Notable Graves Medal of Honor Recipients: Mexican Service Campaign
1431:
In June 1942, Fletcher was the officer in tactical command at the
849:
for leading her through "important, exacting and hazardous duty".
228:
2590:
2426:
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the
1757:
In September 1945, following the cessation of hostilities in the
799:
2539:
In Bitter Tempest: The Biography of Admiral Frank Jack Fletcher
2453:
Layton, Edwin T. (with Roger Pineau and John Costello) (1985).
1738:
1248:
905:
805:
713:
1794:. His widow, Martha Richards Fletcher (born 29 March 1895, at
673:
Following graduation from the Naval Academy, he served on the
572:, which collectively resulted in the sinking of five Japanese
798:"Bueil" talking with the commanding officer of the submarine
2070:
For distinguished service as Commanding Officer of the USS
2630:
2513:
1538:
1231:
In May 1942, Fletcher commanded the task forces during the
604:
2666:
Battle of Veracruz (1914) recipients of the Medal of Honor
1326:
was hit near her island, but survived. Hara failed to use
933:
Fletcher became chief of staff to the Commander in Chief,
108:
Vice Admiral Frank Jack Fletcher, USN Photographed aboard
2568:
Online Library of Selected Images: People – United States
1776:
History of United States Naval Operations in World War II
1337:
had beaten Japanese air groups 52 to 35, and had damaged
1280:. That same day, Japanese carrier planes of Rear Admiral
2591:
Walsh, George J., Lt. Cmdr., USNR (December 22, 2006).
2436:
Fletcher, Task Force Commander; The Early Years of WWII
2138:) as somewhat confused and hesitant during the battle.
2121:, commissioned June 30, 1942, was named for his uncle,
1097:). Fletcher commanded the task force from the cruiser
1003:. A day after Pearl Harbor, reports were received from
1674:
was hit by three bombs; the Japanese seaplane tender
1459:. When aircraft from four Japanese carriers attacked
2401:"Frank Jack Fletcher: 29 April 1885 – 25 April 1973"
2149:
1589:
115:, September 17, 1942. Official U.S. Navy photograph.
2235:
Black Shoe Carrier Admiral, John B. Lundstrom, 2006
2210:
2208:
1255:and an Australian cruiser force under Rear Admiral
989:
908:. Returning to the United States, he served at the
839:in February 1918. He took command of the destroyer
812:
594:
2696:Recipients of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal
2499:(New ed.). Annapolis: Naval Institute Press.
2454:
2206:
2204:
2202:
2200:
2198:
2196:
2194:
2192:
2190:
2188:
1146:in March; and he had aviation expert Rear Admiral
694:on special service, he reported to the battleship
579:In 1914, then Lieutenant Fletcher was awarded the
2536:
1753:Grave at Arlington National Cemetery (March 2020)
821:, he served as gunnery officer of the battleship
738:in April 1910, and in March 1912, he returned to
27:USN admiral, Medal of Honor recipient (1885–1973)
2637:
2564:"Admiral Frank Jack Fletcher, USN, (1885–1973)"
2475:
2433:
2185:
2386:– Arlington National Cemetery official website
1349:, and had not lost a fleet ship larger than a
886:, having consecutive command of the destroyer
862:. He then had similar duty with the destroyer
618:on February 13, 1908. His classmates included
1128:On January 1, 1942, Fletcher took command of
2706:United States Navy Medal of Honor recipients
2691:Recipients of the Navy Cross (United States)
2612:: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (
2593:"A Critical Revisit to the Battle of Midway"
2528:: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (
2173:List of Medal of Honor recipients (Veracruz)
764:for the rescue of refugees on the transport
2661:United States Navy personnel of World War I
1628:. Unsourced material may be challenged and
1399:. Unsourced material may be challenged and
1199:. Unsourced material may be challenged and
1160:
2075:against all forms of enemy naval activity.
2053:
102:
2494:
2354:
1744:
1648:Learn how and when to remove this message
1419:Learn how and when to remove this message
1360:
1219:Learn how and when to remove this message
918:; and completed the Senior Course at the
723:In November 1909, he was assigned to the
548:(April 29, 1885 – April 25, 1973) was an
80:Learn how and when to remove this message
2711:United States Navy World War II admirals
2574:, Department of the Navy. Archived from
1748:
1539:Landing at Guadalcanal: August 7–9, 1942
926:in 1929–30, followed immediately by the
789:
783:on the staff of the Commander in Chief,
43:This article includes a list of general
2331:"Frank Jack Fletcher papers, 1897-1973"
2244:
14:
2676:Burials at Arlington National Cemetery
2638:
2064:
2302:
2275:
1123:
952:He assumed command of the battleship
443:Battle of Tulagi and Gavutu-Tanambogo
2572:Naval History & Heritage Command
2399:
2245:Wheeler, Gerald E. (April 1, 1996).
2214:
1737:in the first sea bombardment of the
1626:adding citations to reliable sources
1593:
1397:adding citations to reliable sources
1364:
1322:, which was abandoned that evening.
1197:adding citations to reliable sources
1164:
560:. Fletcher commanded five different
29:
2480:. Annapolis: Naval Institute Pres.
1708:
833:. He was assigned to the destroyer
775:in July 1914, he served briefly in
24:
2701:United States Naval Academy alumni
2405:Naval History and Heritage Command
2393:
1549:invasion of Tulagi and Guadalcanal
49:it lacks sufficient corresponding
25:
2727:
2556:
2514:Morison, Samuel E., Admiral USN.
2168:List of Medal of Honor recipients
1590:East Solomons: August 24–25, 1942
2621:Burial Detail: Fletcher, Frank J
2421:
2407:. 6 October 2016. Archived from
2152:
2041:Mindanao and Sulu Campaign Medal
1965:Army Distinguished Service Medal
1960:Navy Distinguished Service Medal
1934:
1927:
1920:
1909:
1903:
1891:
1885:
1875:
1864:
1858:
1848:
1841:
1832:
1825:
1818:
1809:
1598:
1369:
1169:
1120:was delivered to Midway Island.
990:Wake Island: December 8–23, 1941
813:World War I and interwar service
794:Jack Fletcher (at left) and his
595:Early life and early Navy career
517:
513:Army Distinguished Service Medal
507:
503:Navy Distinguished Service Medal
497:
487:
477:
227:
202:
182:
34:
2541:. Iowa State University Press.
1687:Fletcher was criticized by the
976:
971:
748:. In April 1914, he was aboard
587:. He was the nephew of Admiral
2686:People from Marshalltown, Iowa
2377:
2348:
2323:
2296:
2269:
2238:
2229:
2220:
2001:Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
1996:American Defense Service Medal
1662:Battle of the Eastern Solomons
983:Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor
858:, but was detached before her
448:Battle of the Eastern Solomons
351:Battle of the Eastern Solomons
13:
1:
2178:
2134:depicted Fletcher (played by
2043:(Philippine Territory) (1924)
2023:Navy Occupation Service Medal
779:before reporting as aide and
760:, Mexico. He was awarded the
2716:Military personnel from Iowa
2047:Order of the Dragon of Annam
904:, and the submarine base at
752:, the flagship of his uncle
7:
2656:United States Navy admirals
2495:Lundstrom, John B. (2005).
2355:Lundstrom, John B. (2006).
2145:
2037:(Dominion of Canada) (1945)
1792:Arlington National Cemetery
1296:; on May 11, the destroyer
1132:, built around the carrier
845:in May 1918, receiving the
171:Arlington National Cemetery
10:
2732:
2627:Frank Jack Fletcher papers
2537:Regan, Stephen D. (1994).
2018:World War II Victory Medal
1284:found the American tanker
1150:with him during the first
1049:), and eight destroyers: (
817:Following the outbreak of
2079:
2049:(French Indochina) (1932)
1982:World War I Victory Medal
1946:
1808:
1801:
1719:Northwestern Sea Frontier
1715:Thirteenth Naval District
1689:Chief of Naval Operations
939:Chief of Naval Operations
531:
470:
391:
357:Thirteenth Naval District
238:
223:
215:
195:
177:
165:
148:
128:
120:
101:
94:
2681:Naval War College alumni
2631:American Heritage Center
2476:Lundstrom, John (2006).
2434:Bauer, James L. (2010).
1161:Coral Sea: May 4–8, 1942
1031:, three heavy cruisers (
380:North Pacific Ocean Area
318:Cruisers, Scouting Force
2359:. Annapolis, Maryland:
2253:Naval Historical Center
2054:Medal of Honor citation
2013:American Campaign Medal
1985:with "DESTROYER" clasp
1784:Bethesda Naval Hospital
1695:, for not pursuing the
1233:Battle of the Coral Sea
1152:Battle of the Coral Sea
898:, the submarine tender
583:for his actions in the
428:Battle of the Coral Sea
324:Cruisers, Pacific Fleet
64:more precise citations.
2077:
2062:
1773:, who was writing the
1754:
1745:Postwar and final days
1513:A Japanese submarine,
1361:Midway: June 4–7, 1942
1343:Imperial Japanese Navy
879:until September 1922.
809:
758:occupation of Veracruz
656:Ferdinand L. Reichmuth
607:, on April 29, 1885.
416:Battle of the Atlantic
404:Occupation of Veracruz
362:Northwest Sea Frontier
312:Cruiser Division THREE
301:Submarine Base, Cavite
2361:Naval Institute Press
2303:Bates, R. W. (1950).
2276:Bates, R. W. (1950).
2123:Frank Friday Fletcher
2068:
2057:
1991:Yangtze Service Medal
1977:Mexican Service Medal
1796:Kansas City, Missouri
1752:
1568:Battle of Savo Island
1519:, found the crippled
1101:, while Rear Admiral
994:Prior to December 7,
943:Secretary of the Navy
910:Washington Navy Yards
793:
754:Frank Friday Fletcher
599:Fletcher was born in
589:Frank Friday Fletcher
537:Frank Friday Fletcher
321:Cruiser Division FOUR
216:Years of service
2363:. pp. 509–513.
1771:Samuel Eliot Morison
1763:Navy's General Board
1622:improve this section
1584:Alexander Vandegrift
1393:improve this section
1335:Grumman F4F Wildcats
1193:improve this section
965:Bureau of Navigation
877:Bureau of Navigation
628:William A. Glassford
438:Guadalcanal campaign
367:Alaskan Sea Frontier
315:Cruiser Division SIX
2438:. Manorborn Press.
2065:Navy Cross citation
1553:1st Marine Division
1457:Raymond A. Spruance
882:He returned to the
632:Charles C. Hartigan
546:Frank Jack Fletcher
460:Occupation of Japan
376:North Pacific Force
96:Frank Jack Fletcher
2578:on August 25, 2012
2026:with "ASIA" clasp
1790:. He is buried in
1788:Bethesda, Maryland
1755:
1580:Richmond K. Turner
1561:Robert L. Ghormley
1257:John Gregory Crace
1124:January–April 1942
810:
648:John S. McCain Sr.
640:Robert L. Ghormley
624:William L. Calhoun
585:battle at Veracruz
554:United States Navy
210:United States Navy
159:Bethesda, Maryland
142:Marshalltown, Iowa
2445:978-0-9830502-0-9
2309:Naval War College
2282:Naval War College
2035:Order of the Bath
2030:
2029:
1942:
1941:
1717:and commander of
1658:
1657:
1650:
1557:close air support
1429:
1428:
1421:
1229:
1228:
1221:
947:Claude A. Swanson
920:Naval War College
785:US Atlantic Fleet
620:Arthur L. Bristol
610:Appointed to the
574:aircraft carriers
543:
542:
90:
89:
82:
18:Frank J. Fletcher
16:(Redirected from
2723:
2671:Battle of Midway
2617:
2611:
2603:
2601:
2599:
2587:
2585:
2583:
2552:
2533:
2527:
2519:
2510:
2491:
2472:
2460:
2449:
2425:
2424:
2420:
2418:
2416:
2387:
2381:
2375:
2374:
2352:
2346:
2345:
2343:
2342:
2333:. Archived from
2327:
2321:
2320:
2300:
2294:
2293:
2273:
2267:
2266:
2242:
2236:
2233:
2227:
2224:
2218:
2212:
2162:
2160:Biography portal
2157:
2156:
2155:
1944:
1943:
1938:
1931:
1924:
1913:
1907:
1895:
1889:
1879:
1868:
1862:
1852:
1845:
1836:
1829:
1822:
1813:
1806:
1805:
1709:Northern Pacific
1653:
1646:
1642:
1639:
1633:
1602:
1594:
1433:Battle of Midway
1424:
1417:
1413:
1410:
1404:
1373:
1365:
1224:
1217:
1213:
1210:
1204:
1173:
1165:
945:, the Honorable
935:US Asiatic Fleet
928:Army War College
612:US Naval Academy
521:
511:
501:
491:
481:
433:Battle of Midway
231:
208:
206:
205:
197:
188:
186:
185:
155:
138:
136:
106:
92:
91:
85:
78:
74:
71:
65:
60:this article by
51:inline citations
38:
37:
30:
21:
2731:
2730:
2726:
2725:
2724:
2722:
2721:
2720:
2636:
2635:
2605:
2604:
2597:
2595:
2581:
2579:
2562:
2559:
2549:
2521:
2520:
2507:
2488:
2469:
2446:
2422:
2414:
2412:
2396:
2394:Further reading
2391:
2390:
2382:
2378:
2371:
2353:
2349:
2340:
2338:
2329:
2328:
2324:
2301:
2297:
2274:
2270:
2263:
2255:. p. 143.
2243:
2239:
2234:
2230:
2225:
2221:
2213:
2186:
2181:
2158:
2153:
2151:
2148:
2140:Charlton Heston
2128:The 1976 movie
2082:
2067:
2056:
2025:
2003:
1984:
1915:
1914:
1908:
1897:
1896:
1890:
1870:
1869:
1863:
1804:
1747:
1711:
1654:
1643:
1637:
1634:
1619:
1603:
1592:
1541:
1425:
1414:
1408:
1405:
1390:
1374:
1363:
1276:flying back to
1274:Robert E. Dixon
1225:
1214:
1208:
1205:
1190:
1174:
1163:
1126:
1024:seaplane tender
992:
979:
974:
884:Asiatic Station
815:
808:, December 1917
781:flag lieutenant
664:Russell Willson
636:Aubrey W. Fitch
597:
527:
466:
203:
201:
183:
181:
173:
166:Place of burial
157:
153:
140:
134:
132:
116:
97:
86:
75:
69:
66:
56:Please help to
55:
39:
35:
28:
23:
22:
15:
12:
11:
5:
2729:
2719:
2718:
2713:
2708:
2703:
2698:
2693:
2688:
2683:
2678:
2673:
2668:
2663:
2658:
2653:
2648:
2634:
2633:
2624:
2623:– ANC Explorer
2618:
2588:
2558:
2557:External links
2555:
2554:
2553:
2547:
2534:
2511:
2505:
2492:
2486:
2473:
2467:
2450:
2444:
2431:
2395:
2392:
2389:
2388:
2376:
2369:
2347:
2322:
2311:. p. 85.
2295:
2284:. p. 92.
2268:
2262:978-0945274261
2261:
2237:
2228:
2219:
2183:
2182:
2180:
2177:
2176:
2175:
2170:
2164:
2163:
2147:
2144:
2105: (DD-445)
2088: (DD-992)
2081:
2078:
2066:
2063:
2055:
2052:
2051:
2050:
2044:
2038:
2028:
2027:
2020:
2015:
2009:
2008:
1998:
1993:
1987:
1986:
1979:
1974:
1968:
1967:
1962:
1957:
1951:
1950:
1948:Medal of Honor
1940:
1939:
1932:
1925:
1917:
1916:
1902:
1901:
1900:
1898:
1884:
1883:
1882:
1880:
1872:
1871:
1857:
1856:
1855:
1853:
1846:
1838:
1837:
1830:
1823:
1815:
1814:
1803:
1800:
1746:
1743:
1731:Sea of Okhotsk
1727:Kurile Islands
1710:
1707:
1697:Combined Fleet
1656:
1655:
1606:
1604:
1597:
1591:
1588:
1573:Gunichi Mikawa
1540:
1537:
1427:
1426:
1377:
1375:
1368:
1362:
1359:
1347:Asiatic Fleets
1227:
1226:
1177:
1175:
1168:
1162:
1159:
1140:William Halsey
1125:
1122:
1114:Chester Nimitz
1105:sailed aboard
1001:James Devereux
991:
988:
978:
975:
973:
970:
892:, the gunboat
814:
811:
796:French Bulldog
771:Detached from
762:Medal of Honor
668:Thomas Withers
660:John H. Towers
596:
593:
581:Medal of Honor
541:
540:
533:
529:
528:
526:
525:
515:
505:
495:
485:
483:Medal of Honor
474:
472:
468:
467:
465:
464:
463:
462:
457:
455:Japan campaign
452:
451:
450:
445:
435:
430:
420:
419:
418:
408:
407:
406:
395:
393:
389:
388:
387:
386:
381:
378:
373:
364:
359:
354:
344:
339:
325:
322:
319:
316:
313:
310:
303:
298:
291:
284:
277:
270:
263:
256:
249:
240:
236:
235:
225:
221:
220:
217:
213:
212:
199:
193:
192:
179:
175:
174:
169:
167:
163:
162:
156:(aged 87)
152:April 25, 1973
150:
146:
145:
139:April 29, 1885
130:
126:
125:
122:
118:
117:
107:
99:
98:
95:
88:
87:
42:
40:
33:
26:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
2728:
2717:
2714:
2712:
2709:
2707:
2704:
2702:
2699:
2697:
2694:
2692:
2689:
2687:
2684:
2682:
2679:
2677:
2674:
2672:
2669:
2667:
2664:
2662:
2659:
2657:
2654:
2652:
2649:
2647:
2644:
2643:
2641:
2632:
2628:
2625:
2622:
2619:
2615:
2609:
2594:
2589:
2577:
2573:
2569:
2565:
2561:
2560:
2550:
2548:0-8138-0778-6
2544:
2540:
2535:
2531:
2525:
2517:
2512:
2508:
2506:1-59114-472-8
2502:
2498:
2493:
2489:
2487:1-59114-475-2
2483:
2479:
2474:
2470:
2468:9780688048839
2464:
2461:. W. Morrow.
2459:
2458:
2451:
2447:
2441:
2437:
2432:
2429:
2428:public domain
2411:on 1 May 2017
2410:
2406:
2402:
2398:
2397:
2385:
2380:
2372:
2370:1-59114-475-2
2366:
2362:
2358:
2351:
2337:on 2018-05-25
2336:
2332:
2326:
2318:
2314:
2310:
2306:
2299:
2291:
2287:
2283:
2279:
2272:
2264:
2258:
2254:
2250:
2249:
2241:
2232:
2223:
2216:
2211:
2209:
2207:
2205:
2203:
2201:
2199:
2197:
2195:
2193:
2191:
2189:
2184:
2174:
2171:
2169:
2166:
2165:
2161:
2150:
2143:
2141:
2137:
2136:Robert Webber
2133:
2132:
2126:
2124:
2120:
2117:
2115:
2110:
2106:
2104:
2099:
2096:
2094:
2089:
2087:
2076:
2073:
2061:
2048:
2045:
2042:
2039:
2036:
2032:
2031:
2024:
2021:
2019:
2016:
2014:
2011:
2010:
2007:
2002:
1999:
1997:
1994:
1992:
1989:
1988:
1983:
1980:
1978:
1975:
1973:
1970:
1969:
1966:
1963:
1961:
1958:
1956:
1953:
1952:
1949:
1945:
1937:
1933:
1930:
1926:
1923:
1919:
1918:
1912:
1906:
1899:
1894:
1888:
1881:
1878:
1874:
1873:
1867:
1861:
1854:
1851:
1847:
1844:
1840:
1839:
1835:
1831:
1828:
1824:
1821:
1817:
1816:
1812:
1807:
1799:
1797:
1793:
1789:
1785:
1780:
1778:
1777:
1772:
1768:
1764:
1760:
1751:
1742:
1740:
1736:
1732:
1728:
1724:
1723:Task Force 90
1720:
1716:
1706:
1704:
1703:
1698:
1694:
1690:
1685:
1683:
1682:Tokyo Express
1679:
1678:
1673:
1669:
1668:
1663:
1652:
1649:
1641:
1638:December 2021
1631:
1627:
1623:
1617:
1616:
1612:
1607:This section
1605:
1601:
1596:
1595:
1587:
1585:
1581:
1578:Rear Admiral
1576:
1574:
1569:
1564:
1562:
1558:
1554:
1550:
1546:
1545:Task Force 61
1536:
1534:
1533:
1528:
1527:
1522:
1518:
1517:
1511:
1508:
1504:
1500:
1499:
1494:
1490:
1486:
1482:
1480:
1479:
1474:
1473:
1468:
1467:
1462:
1461:Midway Island
1458:
1454:
1453:
1448:
1447:
1442:
1441:Task Force 16
1438:
1434:
1423:
1420:
1412:
1409:December 2021
1402:
1398:
1394:
1388:
1387:
1383:
1378:This section
1376:
1372:
1367:
1366:
1358:
1356:
1352:
1348:
1344:
1340:
1336:
1331:
1329:
1325:
1321:
1317:
1316:
1311:
1310:
1303:
1301:
1300:
1295:
1294:
1289:
1288:
1283:
1279:
1275:
1271:
1270:
1265:
1260:
1258:
1254:
1250:
1246:
1245:
1240:
1239:
1234:
1223:
1220:
1212:
1209:December 2021
1202:
1198:
1194:
1188:
1187:
1183:
1178:This section
1176:
1172:
1167:
1166:
1158:
1155:
1153:
1149:
1145:
1141:
1137:
1136:
1131:
1130:Task Force 17
1121:
1119:
1115:
1110:
1108:
1104:
1100:
1096:
1095:
1090:
1089:
1084:
1083:
1078:
1077:
1072:
1071:
1066:
1065:
1060:
1059:
1054:
1053:
1048:
1047:
1046:San Francisco
1042:
1041:
1036:
1035:
1030:
1029:
1025:
1021:
1020:
1016:
1012:
1011:
1006:
1002:
997:
987:
984:
969:
966:
962:
958:
957:
950:
948:
944:
940:
936:
931:
929:
925:
921:
917:
916:
911:
907:
903:
902:
897:
896:
891:
890:
885:
880:
878:
874:
871:Returning to
869:
867:
866:
861:
860:commissioning
857:
856:
850:
848:
844:
843:
838:
837:
832:
831:
826:
825:
820:
807:
803:
802:
797:
792:
788:
786:
782:
778:
774:
769:
767:
763:
759:
756:, during the
755:
751:
747:
746:
741:
737:
736:
731:
730:
726:
721:
719:
715:
711:
710:
705:
704:
699:
698:
693:
692:
687:
686:
681:
680:
676:
671:
669:
665:
661:
657:
653:
649:
645:
644:Isaac C. Kidd
641:
637:
633:
629:
625:
621:
617:
613:
608:
606:
602:
592:
590:
586:
582:
577:
575:
571:
567:
563:
559:
555:
551:
547:
538:
534:
530:
524:
520:
516:
514:
510:
506:
504:
500:
496:
494:
490:
486:
484:
480:
476:
475:
473:
469:
461:
458:
456:
453:
449:
446:
444:
441:
440:
439:
436:
434:
431:
429:
426:
425:
424:
421:
417:
414:
413:
412:
409:
405:
402:
401:
400:
397:
396:
394:
390:
385:
384:Task Force 90
382:
379:
377:
374:
372:
371:Task Force 91
368:
365:
363:
360:
358:
355:
352:
348:
347:Task Force 11
345:
343:
342:Task Force 61
340:
337:
333:
329:
328:Task Force 17
326:
323:
320:
317:
314:
311:
309:
308:
304:
302:
299:
297:
296:
292:
290:
289:
285:
283:
282:
278:
276:
275:
271:
269:
268:
264:
262:
261:
257:
255:
254:
250:
248:
247:
243:
242:
241:
237:
234:
230:
226:
222:
218:
214:
211:
200:
194:
191:
190:United States
180:
176:
172:
168:
164:
160:
151:
147:
143:
131:
127:
123:
119:
114:
113:
105:
100:
93:
84:
81:
73:
70:December 2021
63:
59:
53:
52:
46:
41:
32:
31:
19:
2596:. Retrieved
2580:. Retrieved
2576:the original
2567:
2538:
2515:
2496:
2477:
2456:
2435:
2413:. Retrieved
2409:the original
2379:
2356:
2350:
2339:. Retrieved
2335:the original
2325:
2304:
2298:
2277:
2271:
2247:
2240:
2231:
2222:
2129:
2127:
2113:
2102:
2092:
2085:
2083:
2071:
2069:
2058:
2006:battle stars
1972:Purple Heart
1781:
1774:
1756:
1712:
1701:
1686:
1676:
1671:
1666:
1659:
1644:
1635:
1620:Please help
1608:
1577:
1565:
1542:
1531:
1525:
1520:
1515:
1512:
1506:
1502:
1497:
1492:
1488:
1484:
1483:
1477:
1471:
1465:
1451:
1445:
1436:
1430:
1415:
1406:
1391:Please help
1379:
1338:
1332:
1327:
1323:
1319:
1314:
1308:
1304:
1298:
1292:
1286:
1282:Chuichi Hara
1277:
1268:
1264:Port Moresby
1261:
1252:
1243:
1237:
1230:
1215:
1206:
1191:Please help
1179:
1156:
1148:Aubrey Fitch
1134:
1127:
1117:
1111:
1106:
1103:Aubrey Fitch
1098:
1093:
1087:
1081:
1076:Ralph Talbot
1075:
1069:
1063:
1057:
1051:
1045:
1039:
1033:
1027:
1018:
1013:, the fleet
1009:
993:
980:
977:Pearl Harbor
972:World War II
955:
951:
932:
914:
900:
894:
888:
881:
870:
864:
854:
851:
841:
835:
829:
823:
816:
800:
776:
772:
770:
765:
749:
744:
739:
734:
728:
722:
708:
702:
696:
690:
684:
679:Rhode Island
678:
672:
609:
601:Marshalltown
598:
578:
558:World War II
545:
544:
523:Purple Heart
423:World War II
392:Battles/wars
330:(Battles of
306:
294:
287:
280:
273:
266:
259:
252:
245:
154:(1973-04-25)
111:
76:
67:
48:
2651:1973 deaths
2646:1885 births
2307:. Newport:
2280:. Newport:
2033:Companion,
1693:Ernest King
1547:during the
1351:minesweeper
1040:Minneapolis
996:Wake Island
819:World War I
718:Philippines
675:battleships
652:Leigh Noyes
562:task forces
411:World War I
399:Banana Wars
121:Nickname(s)
62:introducing
2640:Categories
2341:2020-04-28
2179:References
2004:with five
1955:Navy Cross
1735:Paramushir
1691:, Admiral
1672:Enterprise
1555:. Carrier
1503:Enterprise
1485:Enterprise
1446:Enterprise
1259:on May 5.
1144:New Guinea
956:New Mexico
895:Sacramento
873:Washington
847:Navy Cross
493:Navy Cross
307:New Mexico
288:Sacramento
178:Allegiance
135:1885-04-29
124:Black Jack
45:references
2524:cite book
2317:846866220
2290:846866220
2215:NHHC 2016
2119:destroyer
2109:lead ship
2098:destroyer
1609:does not
1380:does not
1355:submarine
1320:Lexington
1278:Lexington
1253:Lexington
1244:Lexington
1180:does not
1070:Patterson
1052:Selfridge
954:USS
824:Kearsarge
777:Tennessee
766:Esperanza
725:destroyer
709:Tennessee
566:Coral Sea
532:Relations
332:Coral Sea
219:1906–1947
110:USS
2608:cite web
2598:July 20,
2582:July 20,
2415:23 April
2146:See also
2114:Fletcher
2103:Fletcher
2093:Spruance
2086:Fletcher
1759:Far East
1702:Saratoga
1532:Saratoga
1521:Yorktown
1507:Yorktown
1493:Yorktown
1437:Yorktown
1324:Yorktown
1238:Yorktown
1135:Yorktown
1107:Saratoga
1010:Saratoga
961:flagship
915:Colorado
830:Margaret
740:Chauncey
729:Chauncey
703:Franklin
535:Admiral
260:Margaret
253:Chauncey
239:Commands
196:Service/
112:Saratoga
2629:at the
2111:of the
1729:in the
1677:Chitose
1630:removed
1615:sources
1551:by the
1526:Hammann
1505:, with
1443:, with
1401:removed
1386:sources
1339:ShĹŤkaku
1328:Zuikaku
1315:Zuikaku
1309:ShĹŤkaku
1201:removed
1186:sources
1118:Tangier
1099:Astoria
1058:Mugford
1034:Astoria
1028:Tangier
924:Newport
901:Rainbow
889:Whipple
865:Gridley
773:Florida
750:Florida
745:Florida
716:in the
556:during
552:in the
550:admiral
539:(uncle)
295:Rainbow
281:Whipple
274:Gridley
233:Admiral
58:improve
2545:
2503:
2484:
2465:
2442:
2367:
2315:
2288:
2259:
2131:Midway
2116:-class
2107:, the
2095:-class
2080:Legacy
2072:Benham
1802:Awards
1739:Kurile
1501:, and
1489:Hornet
1475:, and
1452:Hornet
1439:—plus
1299:Henley
1287:Neosho
1249:Tulagi
1082:Henley
1064:Jarvis
1022:, the
1019:Neches
906:Cavite
842:Benham
806:Azores
714:Cavite
666:, and
616:ensign
570:Midway
471:Awards
336:Midway
267:Benham
207:
198:branch
187:
47:, but
1767:Araby
1667:Ryūjō
1516:I-168
1498:Hiryū
1478:Sōryū
1466:Akagi
1269:ShĹŤhĹŤ
1015:oiler
855:Crane
836:Allen
697:Maine
691:Eagle
2614:link
2600:2010
2584:2010
2543:ISBN
2530:link
2501:ISBN
2482:ISBN
2463:ISBN
2440:ISBN
2417:2017
2365:ISBN
2313:OCLC
2286:OCLC
2257:ISBN
2090:, a
1613:any
1611:cite
1566:The
1487:and
1472:Kaga
1449:and
1384:any
1382:cite
1293:Sims
1184:any
1182:cite
1094:Helm
1088:Blue
735:Dale
685:Ohio
682:and
605:Iowa
568:and
334:and
246:Dale
224:Rank
161:, US
149:Died
144:, US
129:Born
1786:in
1624:by
1395:by
1353:or
1195:by
801:K-6
712:to
2642::
2610:}}
2606:{{
2570:.
2566:.
2526:}}
2522:{{
2403:.
2251:.
2187:^
2125:.
1741:.
1535:.
1481:.
1469:,
1357:.
1154:.
1091:,
1085:,
1079:,
1073:,
1067:,
1061:,
1055:,
1043:,
1037:,
959:,
949:.
922:,
804:,
768:.
720:.
670:.
662:,
658:,
654:,
650:,
646:,
642:,
638:,
634:,
630:,
626:,
622:,
603:,
576:.
369:/
2616:)
2602:.
2586:.
2551:.
2532:)
2518:.
2509:.
2490:.
2471:.
2448:.
2430:.
2419:.
2373:.
2344:.
2319:.
2292:.
2265:.
2217:.
1651:)
1645:(
1640:)
1636:(
1632:.
1618:.
1422:)
1416:(
1411:)
1407:(
1403:.
1389:.
1222:)
1216:(
1211:)
1207:(
1203:.
1189:.
353:)
349:(
338:)
137:)
133:(
83:)
77:(
72:)
68:(
54:.
20:)
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
