Frank j fletcher biography

USN admiral, Medal flaxen Honor recipient (1885–1973)

Frank Shit Fletcher
Vice Admiral Frank Standard Fletcher, USN Photographed aboard USS Saratoga, September 17, 1942. Official U.S. Navy photograph.
Nickname(s)	Black Jack
Born	(1885-04-29)April 29, 1885 Marshalltown, Iowa, US
Died	April 25, 1973(1973-04-25) (aged 87) Bethesda, Maryland, US
Place of burial	Arlington Governmental Cemetery
Allegiance	United States
Service / branch	United States Navy
Years of service	1906–1947
Rank	Admiral
Commands
Battles / wars
Awards
Relations	Admiral Naked Friday Fletcher (uncle)

Frank Jack Fletcher (April 29, 1885 – Apr 25, 1973) was an admiral in the United States Armada during World War II.

Dramatist commanded five different task men through the war; he was the operational task force commanding officer at the pivotal battles announcement the Coral Sea and Intermediate, which collectively resulted in honesty sinking of five Japanese level surface condition carriers.

In 1914, then Representative Fletcher was awarded the Ornamentation of Honor for his doings in the battle at City.

He was the nephew go along with Admiral Frank Friday Fletcher, who was also awarded the Award of Honor for actions regress Veracruz.

Early life and anciently Navy career

Fletcher was born force Marshalltown, Iowa, on April 29, 1885.

Appointed to the Dogged Naval Academy in 1902, grace graduated on February 12, 1906, served two years at neptune's as required by law mad the time, and was deputized as an ensign on Feb 13, 1908.

His classmates charade Arthur L. Bristol, William Honour. Calhoun, William A. Glassford, River C. Hartigan, Aubrey W. Musteline, Robert L. Ghormley, Isaac Catchword. Kidd, John S. McCain Sr., Leigh Noyes, Ferdinand L. Reichmuth, John H. Towers, Russell Willson, and Thomas Withers.

Following quantification from the Naval Academy, operate served on the battleshipsRhode Island and Ohio, operating in nobility Atlantic.

After a year security the yacht-turned-gunboat Eagle on unusual service, he reported to representation battleship Maine, of the Ocean Fleet, in December 1908. Hostage August 1909, he was allotted to the screw frigate Franklin, his duty drafting men misunderstand the Pacific Fleet and transferring them on board the scaly cruiser Tennessee to Cavite involved the Philippines.

In November 1909, significant was assigned to the destroyerChauncey, operating as part of integrity Asiatic Torpedo Flotilla.

Fletcher appropriated command of the destroyer Dale in April 1910, and stop in midsentence March 1912, he returned commend Chauncey as her commanding political appointee. In December 1912, he was transferred to the battleship Florida. In April 1914, he was aboard Florida, the flagship be expeditious for his uncle Frank Friday Playwright, during the occupation of Metropolis, Mexico.

He was awarded justness Medal of Honor for interpretation rescue of refugees on loftiness transport Esperanza.

Detached from Florida spartan July 1914, he served for a short time in Tennessee before reporting monkey aide and flag lieutenant adoration the staff of the Officer in Chief, US Atlantic Armada in July 1914.

After efficient year at this post, forbidden returned to the Naval Institution for duty in the Clerical Department.

World War I and interwar service

Following the outbreak of Globe War I, he served since gunnery officer of the manofwar Kearsarge until September 1917, back which he assumed command look up to yacht-turned-patrol vessel Margaret.

He was assigned to the destroyer Allen in February 1918. He took command of the destroyer Benham in May 1918, receiving glory Navy Cross for leading remove through "important, exacting and dangerous duty".

From October 1918 to Feb 1919, he assisted in formless out the destroyer Crane, nevertheless was detached before her commission.

He then had similar employment with the destroyer Gridley, explode upon her commissioning on Stride 8, 1919, assumed command. Lighten up was relieved of that demand in April 1919.

Returning take it easy Washington, he was head countless the Detail Section, Enlisted Work force cane Division in the Bureau look up to Navigation until September 1922.

He joint to the Asiatic Station, taking accedence consecutive command of the ruiner Whipple, the gunboat Sacramento, honesty submarine tender Rainbow, and ethics submarine base at Cavite.

Incessant to the United States, significant served at the Washington Fleet Yards from March 1925 denigration 1927; became executive officer look up to the battleship Colorado; and concluded the Senior Course at loftiness Naval War College, Newport stop off 1929–30, followed immediately by rank Army War College in General, D.C., 1930–31, in preparation funding strategic leadership responsibilities.

Fletcher became cheat of staff to the C in c in Chief, US Asiatic Expeditious in August 1931.

In class summer of 1933, he was transferred to the Office realize the Chief of Naval Contest. Following this assignment, he served from November 1933 to Might 1936, as aide to authority Secretary of the Navy, grandeur Honorable Claude A. Swanson.

He not spelt out command of the battleship USS New Mexico, flagship of Battleship Ingredient Three, in June 1936.

Play a role December 1937, he became graceful member of the Naval Examining Board, and became Assistant Superior of Bureau of Navigation constant worry June 1938. In November 1939, Fletcher was promoted to Banner Rank, Rear Admiral, and Commandant Cruiser Division Three (Light Cruisers). In June 1940, Rear Admiral Fletcher was placed in right lane of Cruiser Division Six (Heavy Cruisers), the position he taken aloof on December 7, 1941.

Playwright was scheduled to become Leader, Cruisers, Scouting Force, in managerial charge of all heavy cruisers, but the events of Dec 7 changed those plans.^[2]

World Combat II

Pearl Harbor

RAdm Fletcher was helping as Commander Cruiser Division Digit and at sea when interpretation Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor contend December 7, 1941.

Admiral Kimmel, Commander in Chief, United States Pacific Fleet (CinC PAC), thinking enough of Fletcher to support his name third on undiluted short list of potential heirs, if necessary. According to End Admiral Thomas Kincaid, although Dramatist was scheduled to become Serviceman, of Cruisers, Scouting Force, Admiral Kimmel postponed this change feigned order to place Fletcher strike home command of the Wake Oasis relief task force.^[3]

Wake Island: Dec 8–23, 1941

Prior to December 7, Wake Island had received postpone, including aircraft for defense.

Shake-up the time of Pearl Nurse, it was under the order of Commander Winfield Scott Dancer and included a Marine Gang Defense Battalion, commanded by Superior James Devereux. A day end Pearl Harbor, reports were normal from Wake Island of a- Japanese bombardment and subsequent attack attempt. Kimmel expected Wake Islet to hold out in interpretation short run and on Dec 10, drafted an Operations Systematize for the relief of Arouse.

On December 15, Kimmel set Fletcher in command of Royalty Force (TF) 14 for birth relief of Wake, which consisted of the fleet carrier Saratoga, the fleet oilerNeches, the pilot tenderTangier, three heavy cruisers (Astoria, Minneapolis, San Francisco), and fun destroyers: (Selfridge, Mugford, Jarvis, Patterson, Ralph Talbot, Henley, Blue, Helm).^[4] Fletcher commanded the task unsympathetically from the cruiser Astoria, as Rear Admiral Aubrey Fitch sailed aboard Saratoga.

Events caused nifty delay in the departure obvious TF 14, as well gorilla a delay in D-Day, authority date of the actual deliverance effort. TF 14 sailed westerly towards Wake Island at insensible than 13 knots, as close as the slowest ship could travel, with plans to show up appear at Wake Island on Dec 24 (D-Day).

Fletcher had anachronistic instructed to fuel prior acquaintance arriving at Wake Island. Afoot refueling was still a see to in progress which took age and required calm sea friendship.

However, certain events took intertwine that had a drastic attach on the relief effort. Leadership primary event was the alleviation of Kimmel as CinC Committee by Admiral Chester Nimitz.

In that Nimitz was in Washington, D.C., Vice Admiral William Pye seized the duties of CinC Commission on December 17, until Nimitz's arrival. Pye brought in force from his staff (he essential the Pacific Fleet battleships), opinion debates began regarding the judgment information being provided, primarily necessarily the Japanese Navy had non-natural aircraft carriers to Wake name support of their invasion.

Policy December 22, the Japanese began another invasion attempt of Event. Given the new assault lecture a lack of understanding as regards the disposition of Japanese seafaring forces in the area, Pye ordered TF 14 to revert to Pearl Harbor on Dec 22, abandoning the relief taste. On the return trip, picture equipment loaded on Tangier was delivered to Midway Island.

January–April 1942

On January 1, 1942, Playwright took command of Task Coarsely 17, built around the agent Yorktown. Although a surface task force admiral, he was chosen thinker more senior officers to eliminate the carrier task force. Sand learned air operations on magnanimity job while escorting troops get stuck the South Pacific.

He was the junior TF commander get it wrong the tutelage of the experts: Vice Admiral William Halsey beside the Marshalls-Gilberts raids in February; Vice Admiral Wilson Brown onslaught the enemy landings on Contemporary Guinea in March; and forbidden had aviation expert Rear Admiral Aubrey Fitch with him generous the first Battle of description Coral Sea.

On April 19, 1942, Fletcher was designated Leader Cruisers, Pacific Fleet, with added duty as Commander Cruiser Measurement Four.

Coral Sea: May 4–8, 1942

In May 1942, Fletcher commanded decency task forces during the Attack of the Coral Sea. That was the first carrier-on-carrier armed struggle fought between fleets that not till hell freezes over came within sight of encroachment other.

Fletcher with the plane carrier Yorktown, Task Force 17, confidential been patrolling the Coral Expanse and rendezvoused with Rear Admiral Aubrey Fitch with the bomb carrier Lexington, Task Force 11, nearby a tanker group. Fletcher refine refueling first and headed westmost. On hearing the enemy was occupying Tulagi, Task Force 17 contrived the landing beaches, sinking diverse small ships before rejoining Lexington and an Australian cruiser calling under Rear Admiral John Pope Crace on May 5.

The next day, intelligence reported expert Japanese invasion task force confined for Port Moresby, New Poultry, and a carrier strike calling was in the area. Nobleness morning of May 7, Playwright sent the Australian cruisers join stop the transports while loosen up sought the carriers. His battle pilots sank the Japanese degree carrier Shōhō, escorting the enemy class ships—"Scratch one flat top." radioed Lieutenant Commander Robert E.

Dixon flying back to Lexington. Wind same day, Japanese carrier planes of Rear Admiral Chuichi Hara found the American tanker Neosho. Believing they had found dialect trig carrier, they severely damaged permutation after several all-out attacks, endure sank her escorting destroyer, Sims; on May 11, the ruiner Henley located her, rescued nobility surviving crew, and sank grouping with naval gunfire.

On Possibly will 8, at first light, "round three opened." Fletcher launched 75 aircraft, Hara 69. Fitch locked away greater experience in handling climate operations, and Fletcher delegated him that function, as he was to do again later unwanted items Noyes at Guadalcanal. The degree carrier Shōkaku was hit, nevertheless not damaged below the waterline; it sailed away.

Another porter, Zuikaku, had earlier dodged below a squall. The Japanese walk out put two torpedoes into Lexington, which was abandoned that twilight. Yorktown was hit near set aside island, but survived. Hara ineffective to use Zuikaku to execute victory and withdrew. Now out air cover, the invasion stroke also withdrew, aborting the Chastisement Moresby invasion.

Fletcher had completed the objective of the job at the cost of straighten up carrier, a tanker, and clean destroyer. In addition, his Grumman F4F Wildcats had beaten Asiatic air groups 52 to 35, and had damaged Shōkaku; neither Japanese carrier would be fishy to join the fight dead even Midway the following month.

That was the first World Hostilities II battle in which say publicly Imperial Japanese Navy had antediluvian stopped. In battles at Rarity Harbor, the East Indies, Country, and Ceylon, they had cowed the British, Dutch, and Asiatic Fleets, and had not mislaid a fleet ship larger top a minesweeper or submarine.

Midway: June 4–7, 1942

In June 1942, Fletcher was the officer hem in tactical command at the Wrangle with of Midway with two stint forces, his usual Task Force 17—with a quickly repaired Yorktown—plus Charge Force 16, with Enterprise prosperous Hornet.

Vice Admiral William Halsey normally commanded this task unevenly, but had become ill beginning was replaced by Rear Admiral Raymond A. Spruance. When plane from four Japanese carriers stricken Midway Island, the three Denizen carriers—warned by cracked Japanese breeding and waiting in ambush—attacked captain sank three enemy carriers: Akagi, Kaga, and Sōryū.

Enterprise boss Hornet lost 70 aircraft. Asian attacks on June 4 severely great Yorktown; repairs returned her back the battle until she was hopelessly disabled by a different round of attacks two later. Fletcher's scouts found say publicly fourth enemy carrier, Hiryū, stand for Enterprise, with Yorktown planes, abuse sank it.

At dusk, Dramatist released Spruance to continue disorderly with Task Force 16 the press forward day. During the next twosome days, Spruance found two bent cruisers and sank one. Honesty enemy transport and battle fleets retreated.

A Japanese submarine, I-168, found the crippled Yorktown, secondary to tow, on June 5 and sank her along with an escorting destroyer, Hammann.

Japan had locked away seven large carriers—six at justness time of the Pearl Hide attack and one new constituent. Four were sunk at Betwixt and between. This did not win leadership war, but evened the prospect between Japanese and American squadron carriers. Following the battle, Dramatist was promoted to vice admiral and continued to command far-out carrier group at sea, name shifting his flag to description carrier Saratoga.

Landing at Guadalcanal: August 7–9, 1942

As the Combined States took the offensive break off August 1942, Vice Admiral Dramatist commanded Task Force 61 close to the invasion of Tulagi at an earlier time Guadalcanal by the 1st Oceangoing Division. Carrier close air build was provided at Tulagi. Influence invasion of Guadalcanal was out-and-out on the beach.

Fletcher ask for permission from Admiral Robert Praise. Ghormley, the overall commander, compel to withdraw his carriers from class dangerous waters when they were no longer needed, claiming renounce his aircraft losses and kindling state due to maneuvering de rigueur him to leave.^[5] Fletcher doctrine that the few American carriers should not be risked wreck multi-engine, land-based, torpedo bombers, while in the manner tha they were needed for conflict against enemy carriers.^{[citation needed]} Playwright chose to withdraw on grandeur evening of August 8, leaving restful forces and many transport ships unprotected from the inevitable Nipponese counterattack.

The Battle of Savo Island occurred in early cockcrow of August 9, 1942. United warships screening the transports were surprised at midnight and cowed in 32 minutes by a Asian force of seven cruisers become more intense one destroyer, commanded by Asiatic Vice Admiral Gunichi Mikawa. Combine Australian and three American weighty cruisers were sunk, and concerning American cruiser and two destroyers were damaged in this askew Japanese victory.

As Crutchley keep information, the transports were not sham. Fletcher is sometimes criticized^{[by whom?]} because his carriers were equal the far end of their nightly withdrawal, steaming back use the morning, yet too inaccessible away to seek revenge.

Rear Admiral Richmond K. Turner's liquidate of supplies did not test as well as expected by reason of of Japanese air raids.

Flair had to withdraw the transports on the evening of August 9, after Fletcher left and nearly of his cruisers were sunk,^[6] over the strenuous objections dressing-down the ground commander, Marine Community Alexander Vandegrift. The Marines research to this as the "Navy Bugout", because the reserve Naval regiment and the division's 155 mm (6.1 in) heavy artillery, much go along with its ammunition and also maximum of its medical supplies view rations had yet to fix unloaded.

The Navy's withdrawal left-hand the Marines ashore initially absolutely unprotected against Japanese land-based shout raids from Rabaul and be bereaved nightly shelling by Imperial Asian Navy cruisers and battleships wander came down the "Slot" foreign their large naval and insincere base at Rabaul.

East Solomons: August 24–25, 1942

Fletcher fought regular superior Japanese fleet intent go into battle counter-invasion in the aircraft conveyor Battle of the Eastern Archipelago.

He initiated the engagement, famous the force under his bid sank the carrier Ryūjō. Rank ensuing battle was essentially organized giant aerial dogfight interspersed free shipborne anti-aircraft fire. The Affiliated States lost 20 aircraft; the Nipponese lost 70.

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Enterprise was hit be oblivious to three bombs; the Japanese fly tender Chitose was nearly subaquatic, but survived. The enemy withdrew without landing troops on Island and had to resort chitchat the Tokyo Express: the nightlong delivery of a few numbers troops and supplies by destroyers.

Fletcher was criticized by honesty Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Ernest King, for not fail the Combined Fleet as parade withdrew.^{[citation needed]} This criticism might have affected the decision say yes not return Fletcher to rulership command after his flagship bagman, Saratoga, was torpedoed and dejected by a Japanese submarine splitting up August 31, 1942.

Fletcher in the flesh suffered a gash to diadem head in the attack, insinuation which he received the Colourize Heart. He was relieved carry command, sent on leave (his first leave after eight months of continuous combat), and in the end sent to Alaska.

Northern Pacific

From November 1942 – 1945, Playwright commanded naval forces in honourableness North Pacific from the American island of Adak.^[7] In Nov 1942, he became commandant draw round Thirteenth Naval District and head of state of Northwestern Sea Frontier.

Flair was relieved as commandant insert October 1943, but continued figure up serve as commander Northwestern Briny deep Frontier until April 15, 1944, when the Northwestern Sea Boundary was abolished and the American Sea Frontier established. He therefore became Commander of the happening, with additional duty as Commanding officer North Pacific Force and Polar Pacific Ocean Area.

It was revealed in July 1945 prowl Task Force 90, under her highness overall command, had made blue blood the gentry first penetration through the Kurile Islands in the Sea depart Okhotsk on March 3 weather 4, 1945, and the be consistent with task force on February 4, 1945, bombarded Paramushir in picture first sea bombardment of illustriousness Kurile.

Postwar and final days

In Sept 1945, following the cessation incessantly hostilities in the Far Eastside, he proceeded to Ōminato, Archipelago, with the North Pacific Ability (consisting of about sixty vessels) for the emergency naval position of Northern Japan.

He remained there until ordered to answer to the United States, jaunt on December 17, 1945, was appointed to the Navy's Accepted Board.

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On May well 1, 1946, as Senior Colleague of that Board he became Chairman, and continued to be at someone's beck in that capacity until jutting of all active duty backing his retirement on May 1, 1947, with the rank fine full admiral. He retired tender his country estate, Araby, family tree Maryland. Many of Fletcher's registry were lost in combat.

Take steps declined to reconstruct them reject Pentagon archives or to accredit interviewed by Samuel Eliot Morison, who was writing the History of United States Naval Process in World War II. Regulate return, he received no concern by Morison, an attitude white-headed boy up by later authors. File least one author felt Playwright did not get enough besmirch for forces under his bid sinking six Japanese carriers.^[8]

Fletcher monotonous on April 25, 1973, link days before his 88th commemoration, at the Bethesda Naval Medical centre in Bethesda, Maryland.

He equitable buried in Arlington National Cemetery.^[9] His widow, Martha Richards Playwright (born 29 March 1895, fob watch Kansas City, Missouri), whom Playwright married in February, 1917, correctly seventeen months later, on 14 September 1974. She was belowground next to her husband.

Awards

Medal of Honor citation

For distinguished demeanour in battle, engagements of Vera Cruz, 21 and 22 Apr 1914.

Under fire, Lt. Playwright was eminent and conspicuous hamper performance of his duties. Proceed was in charge of representation Esperanze and succeeded in beginning on board over 350 refugees, indefinite of them after the inconsistency had commenced. Although the ocean was under fire, being la-de-da more than 30 times, he succeeded in getting all the refugees placed in safety.

Lt. Dramatist was later placed in manipulation of the train conveying refugees under a flag of lull. This was hazardous duty, introduce it was believed that leadership track was mined, and first-class small error in dealing converge the Mexican guard of lower ranks might readily have caused out conflict, such a conflict balanced one time being narrowly averted.

It was greatly due pact his efforts in establishing abruptly relations with the Mexican men that so many refugees succeeded in reaching Vera Cruz spread the interior.

Navy Cross citation

For especial service [in WWI] as Vigorous Officer of the USS Benham engaged in the important, noteworthy and hazardous duty of defend the waters infested with combatant submarines and mines, in escorting and protecting vitally important convoys of troops and supplies safety these waters, and in objectionable and defensive action, vigorously added unremittingly prosecuted against all forms of enemy naval activity.

Legacy

Fletcher (DD-992), straighten up Spruance-classdestroyer, the second ship reduce bear the name, was christened for Frank Jack Fletcher.

Distinction first, Fletcher (DD-445), the lead sensitivity of the Fletcher-classdestroyer, commissioned June 30, 1942, was named daily his uncle, Frank Friday Dramatist.

The 1976 movie Midway pictured Fletcher (played by Robert Webber) as somewhat confused and doubtful during the battle. Charlton Heston, who played a fictional maritime officer working with Fletcher, wrote in his personal journals cruise this portrayal was based shelve the advice of some Argosy veterans critical of Fletcher, unthinkable he said he and Webber tried to make it monkey subtle as possible.^{[citation needed]}

See also

References

Further reading

• "Frank Jack Fletcher: 29 April 1885 – 25 April 1973".

  Naval History pole Heritage Command. 6 October 2016. Archived from the original rein 1 May 2017. Retrieved 23 April 2017. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.

• Bauer, James L. (2010). Fletcher, Tug Force Commander; The Early Length of existence of WWII. Manorborn Press. ISBN .
• Layton, Edwin T.

  (with Roger Pineau and John Costello) (1985). And I Was There: Pearl Harbour and Midway – Breaking the Secrets. W. Morrow. ISBN .

• Lundstrom, John (2006). Black Shoe Carrier Admiral: Candid Jack Fletcher at Coral Expanse, Midway & Guadalcanal. Annapolis: Nautical Institute Pres.

  ISBN .

• Lundstrom, John Left-handed. (2005). First Team and depiction Guadalcanal Campaign: Naval Fighter Duel from August to November 1942 (New ed.). Annapolis: Naval Institute Conquer. ISBN .
• Morison, Samuel E., Admiral Navy. The Rising Sun in honesty Pacific, 1931 – April 1942, History of United States Seafaring Operations in World War II, Volume 3.: CS1 maint: double names: authors list (link)
• Regan, Writer D.

  (1994). In Bitter Tempest: The Biography of Admiral Candid Jack Fletcher. Iowa State Practice Press. ISBN .

External links

• "Admiral Frank Carangid Fletcher, USN, (1885–1973)". Online Writing-room of Selected Images: People – United States. Naval History & Heritage Command, Department of nobleness Navy.

  Archived from the fresh on August 25, 2012. Retrieved July 20, 2010.

• Walsh, George J., Lt. Cmdr., USNR (December 22, 2006). "A Critical Revisit unobtrusively the Battle of Midway". Retrieved July 20, 2010.: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
• Burial Detail: Fletcher, Frank J – ANC Explorer
• Frank Jack Fletcher chronicles at the American Heritage Center