Frank Friday Fletcher

Rear Admiral, U.S. Navy

Medal of Honor Recipient

Occupation of Veracruz

Frank Friday Fletcher was born on 23 November 1855, in Oskaloosa, IA. He was the uncle of World War II Admiral Frank Jack Fletcher. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1875 and spent the next year as a midshipman on USS Tuscarora. Promoted to Ensign in July 1876, he had sea duty on the sloops of war Portsmouth, Plymouth, Lackawanna and Constellation before participating in USS Ticonderoga's voyage around the world in 1878-1881. Fletcher advanced to the rank of Master (later Lieutenant, Junior Grade) in April 1882 and was next assigned to the Hydrographic Office in Washington, DC. In July 1884, he reported to USS Quinnebaug for service in European waters. After ordnance training in late 1887, he had five years duty at the Bureau of Ordnance, during which time he was promoted to Lieutenant and made notable contributions to gun mechanism design and shipboard navigation.

From 1892 to 1895, Fletcher commanded USS Cushing (TB-1), based at the Torpedo Station in Newport, Rhode Island, and developed the Navy's first torpedo warfare doctrine. He then served in the battleship USS Maine (ACR-1) before returning to the Newport Torpedo Station in October 1896. After a brief tour as Assistant Chief of the Bureau of Ordnance in the spring of 1898, Lieutenant Fletcher became commanding officer of the converted yacht USS Kanawha. From October 1898 to July 1901 he commanded the surveying ship USS Eagle and, in March 1899, was promoted to Lieutenant Commander.

In the fall of 1901, Fletcher returned to ordnance duty and was closely involved with torpedo warfare. A year later he became Chief of Staff of the Asiatic Fleet and later in 1905 assumed command of the cruiser USS Raleigh (C-8). Fletcher attended the Naval War College in mid-1907 and was assigned to the Navy's General Board during the next year. He was promoted to Captain in May 1908 and from November of that year to March 1910 he commanded the battleship USS Vermont (BB-20). In the spring of 1910, Fletcher became the Secretary of the Navy's Aid for Material. While in that post, he reached the rank of Rear Admiral. From 1912 to 1914, he commanded battleship divisions of the Atlantic Fleet. In April 1914, Fletcher led U.S. Navy forces during the landings at Veracruz, Mexico, receiving the Medal of Honor for his "distinguished conduct in battle."

Medal of Honor

Rank and organization: Rear Admiral, U.S. Navy

Citation: For distinguished conduct in battle, engagements of Vera Cruz, 21 and 22 April 1914. Under fire, Rear Adm. Fletcher was eminent and conspicuous in the performance of his duties; was senior officer present at Vera Cruz, and the landing and the operations of the landing force were carried out under his orders and directions. In connection with these operations, he was at times on shore and under fire.

In September 1914, Fletcher began two years as the Atlantic Fleet's Commander in Chief, and was elevated to the rank of Admiral on 10 March 1915. He was a member of the General Board, the Joint Army and Navy Board and the War Industries Board in 1916-1919, and was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal during World War I.

Retired on 23 November 1919, with the rank of Rear Admiral (as was customary at that time), he subsequently served as an official advisor on contemporary defense issues.

Legacy

The destroyer USS Fletcher (DD-445), in commission from 1942 to 1969, was named in his honor.

Death and Burial

Rear Admiral Frank Friday Fletcher died on 28 November 1928, in New York City. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA, in Section 3, Lot 1933.