WW2, Pacific War, the Early Years

    Admiral FRANK JACK FLETCHER – Photos

    Before the War



    War raged in Europe and all but England have fallen. USN still had biplane fighters.

    The Battle of Britain.   Tripartite Pact -- Japan joins Facists.

    1941



    Minneapolis (CA-36) is RAdm. Fletcher's flagship as Commander Cruisers.

    1942



    Fletcher's Flagship of new Task Force 17, Yorktown (CV-5), had been on Neutrality Patrol in the Atlantic.

    Coral Sea



    Oiler Noesha is sent off to "safety".

    U.S. Task Force was in bright sunlight in the Coral Sea, whereas Japanese were able to hide under cloud cover.

    Midway



    During the first attack. Hornet bombers had missed the Japanese. Planes from Hiryu follow US planes back to find Yorktown.

    After the first attack. Dead in water, Soon back to operations

    During the second wave attack while Yorktown scouting planes search for that fourth enemy carrier. They find Hiryu and she is put under before dark.

    After the second attack Yorktown lists badly and is abandoned.

    Still afloat, recovery started on abandoned Yorktown.

    Third attack ; two days after the Battle of Midway in which Admiral Fletcher sank four enemy carriers in the most important naval victory of the war, a Jap sub puts down Hammann and two more torpedoes into Yorktown which sinks the next day.

    Eastern Solomon Sea



    After repulsing Japanese counter attack in the Eastern Solomons and sinking his sixth enemy carrier, Saratoga was torpedoed and returned to Pearl for repairs. Photographed on board ship, 17 September 1942

    1943



    Conference about the NW Pacific

    The Fletcher class of Destroyer was named after his uncle, Admiral Frank Friday Fletcher. 175 were built from 1942-1944.

    1944



    The admiral makes a site visit in Alaska

    1945



    Command ship, USS Panamint (AGC-13) ,at anchor in Mutsu Bay, Northern Honshu, Japan, 15 September 1945 after accepting the surrender of Japanese forces in Northern Japan.
        [ Click for USS Panamint (AGC-13), at Sasebo, Japan, 19 December 1945. ]

    After the War



    "Araby" was Fletcher's, Maryland, estate.

    Arlington National Cemetary

    USS Fletcher (DD-992) is named in honor of Admiral Fletcher.
        [ Click for USS Fletcher (DD-992) at Fremantle, Australia, January 20 1999. ]

    References :

    • "Black Shoe Carrier Admiral: Frank Jack Fletcher and the Pacific Fleet" by John Lundstrom, ISBN: 1591144752, June 2006
    • "LOS DÍAS DE FLETCHER" by Andrés Lazarús del Castillo, Instituto De Publicatciones Navales, ISBN 9508990546, Marca 2004
    • "The Days of Fletcher" by Andrés Lazarús del Castillo, Naval Publications Institute ; ISBN 950-899-054-6, Dec 2004
    • "Stormy Seas" - story by Marshalltimes, his hometown paper.
    • Wikipedia Entry -- Sept. 11, 2007
    • "The Days of Fletcher" by Andrés Lazarús del Castillo, eBook ; ISBN 9789870539674. Feb. 2008.
    • Pictures
    Return to : WW2, Pacific Menu
    Fletcher, page 1. - T. F. Commander.  The First Months - In his words
    Fletcher, page 2. - the Battles. Fletcher, Page 4. - Q&A.

    To be cataloged and inscribed.
    About this page: FJFPics   Photographs to accompany Frank Jack Fletcher.
    Created May 26, 2010. Last updated on
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