An operational commander of the carrier age
At the Coral Sea, he forced the Port Moresby invasion force to withdraw.
Frank Jack Fletcher was a United States Navy admiral who commanded carrier task forces in the Pacific War. In the Coral Sea he helped stop Japan’s advance toward Port Moresby, and at Midway he was the tactical commander when American forces sank four Japanese carriers. His cautious handling of scarce carriers preserved naval power, while his withdrawal during the Guadalcanal landings remained a subject of debate.
Career Timeline
- 1902–1906Midshipman, U.S. Naval Academy
- 1914Served at Veracruz, awarded the Medal of Honor
- 1918–1919Commanding officer, destroyers Benham and Gridley
- 1933–1936Aide to the Secretary of the Navy
- 1939–1941Commander, cruiser divisions, rear admiral
- 1942.01–05Commander, Task Force 17, Battle of the Coral Sea
- 1942.06Officer in tactical command, Battle of Midway
- 1942–1945Commander of U.S. naval forces in the North Pacific