Frank Jack Fletcher papers, 1811-1973

Fletcher (1885-1973) was a career naval officer who graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1906. In 1914 he participated in the American occupation of Vera Cruz, Mexico, and during World War I served aboard several ships in European waters. While stationed on the USS Sacramento, he was involved in suppression of the Colorum insurrection in the Philippines in 1924. Fletcher was commander of the USS New Mexico from 1936-1941 and was commander of Cruiser Division Six at Pearl Harbor when the Japanese attacked on December 7, 1941. In 1942 he commanded American naval forces at the Battle of the Coral Sea and was senior task force commander at the Battle of Midway. From November 1942-1945, Fletcher commanded naval forces in the North Pacific from the Alaskan island of Adak. He retired with the rank of Rear Admiral in 1947.