Serving as a sailor in the U.S. Navy, Lieutenant Frank Jack Fletcher received the Medal of Honor for his actions on April 21, 1914 in Vera Cruz, Mexico during the 1914 Veracruz expedition. Fletcher was 28 years old.
40 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. He later rose to the rank of Admiral.
Fletcher was born on April 29, 1885 in Marshalltown, Marshall County, Iowa. His Medal of Honor is credited to Iowa. Fletcher died on April 25, 1973, at the age of 87. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.
Fletcher is one of 56 Medal of Honor recipients from the 1914 Veracruz expedition and one of 55 credited to Iowa.
Official Medal of Honor citation
For distinguished conduct in battle, engagements of Vera Cruz, 21-22 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 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.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Other decorations and honors
Besides the Medal of Honor, Frank Jack Fletcher received:
Source: Wikidata. Gold chips link to our guide to that decoration.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: World War I.
Life beyond the battlefield
Source: Wikidata.
Places
Timeline
- April 29, 1885Born in Marshalltown, Marshall County, Iowa
- April 21, 1914Act of valor — Vera Cruz, MexicoAge 28.
- April 25, 1973DiedAge 87.
- Resting placeArlington National CemeteryArlington, Virginia
Biography
Frank Jack Fletcher (April 29, 1885 – April 25, 1973) was an admiral in the United States Navy during World War II. Fletcher commanded five different task forces through the war; he was the operational task force commander at the pivotal battles of the Coral Sea and Midway, which collectively resulted in the sinking of five Japanese aircraft carriers. In 1914, then Lieutenant Fletcher was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in the battle at Veracruz. He was the nephew of Admiral Frank Friday Fletcher, who was also awarded the Medal of Honor for actions at Veracruz.
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