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{{Short description|United States Navy admiral}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2020}}
{{Infobox military person
|name= Frank Friday Fletcher
|image=Adm Frank F Fletcher headshot.jpg
|caption=Fletcher wearing his Medal of Honor, c. 1919
|birth_date= {{Birth date|1855|11|23}}
|death_date= {{Death date and age|1928|11|28|1855|11|23}}
|birth_place= [[Oskaloosa, Iowa]], U.S.
|death_place= [[New York City]], New York, U.S.
|placeofburial= [[Arlington National Cemetery]]
|placeofburial_label= Place of burial
|allegiance={{flag|United States|1867}}
|branch={{Naval|United States|navy-1864}}
|serviceyears= 1875–1919
|rank={{Dodseal|USNO8|25}} [[Rear Admiral (United States)|Rear Admiral]]
|commands= [[United States Fleet Forces Command|Atlantic Fleet]]
|battles= [[Spanish–American War]]<br/>[[United States occupation of Veracruz|Battle of Veracruz]]<br/>[[World War I]]
|awards= [[Medal of Honor]]<br/>[[Navy Distinguished Service Medal]]
|relations= [[Frank Jack Fletcher]] (nephew)
|signature = Signature of Frank Friday Fletcher.png
}}

'''Frank Friday Fletcher''' (November 23, 1855 – November 28, 1928) was a [[United States Navy]] admiral who served in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He was awarded the U.S. military's highest decoration, the [[Medal of Honor]], for his actions as commander of navy forces at the [[United States occupation of Veracruz|Battle of Veracruz]], Mexico. The {{sclass|Fletcher|destroyer|2}}, the most produced class of United States Navy destroyers, was named after him.  He was also the uncle of [[Frank Jack Fletcher]], another U.S. Navy admiral who also received the Medal of Honor for actions at Veracruz, and who commanded American naval forces at the battles of [[Battle of the Coral Sea|Coral Sea]], [[Battle of Midway|Midway]], in the [[Eastern Solomons]], and the [[Aleutian Campaign]] during [[World War II]].

==Biography==
[[File:Frank Friday Fletcher Arlington National Cemetery.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Grave at Arlington National Cemetery]]
Fletcher was born on November 23, 1855, in [[Oskaloosa, Iowa]]. He graduated from the [[United States Naval Academy|U.S. Naval Academy]] in 1875 and spent the next year as a [[midshipman]] on {{USS|Tuscarora|1861|6}}. Promoted to [[ensign (rank)|ensign]] in July 1876, he had sea duty on the sloops of war {{USS|Portsmouth|1843|2}}, {{USS|Plymouth|1867|2}}, {{USS|Lackawanna|1862|2}} and {{USS|Constellation|1854|2}} before participating in {{USS|Ticonderoga|1862|6}}'s voyage around the world in 1878–1881. Fletcher advanced to the rank of master (later [[lieutenant, junior grade]]) in April 1882 and was next assigned to the [[U.S. Navy Hydrographic Office|Hydrographic Office]] in Washington, D.C. In July 1884, he reported to {{USS|Quinnebaug|1875|6}} for service in European waters. After ordnance training in late 1887, he had five years' duty at the [[Bureau of Ordnance]], during which time he was promoted to [[Lieutenant (naval)|lieutenant]] and made notable contributions to gun mechanism design and shipboard navigation.<ref name="nhhcbio"/>

From 1892 to 1895, Fletcher commanded the navy's first torpedo boat, {{USS|Cushing|TB-1|6}}, based at the Torpedo Station in [[Newport, Rhode Island]], and developed the navy's first torpedo warfare doctrine. He then served in the battleship {{USS|Maine|ACR-1|6}} before returning to the Newport Torpedo Station in October 1896. After a brief tour as Assistant Chief of the Bureau of Ordnance in the spring of 1898, Lieutenant Fletcher became commanding officer of the converted yacht {{USS|Kanawha|1896|6}}. From October 1898 to July 1901 he commanded the surveying ship {{USS|Eagle|1898|6}} and, in March 1899, was promoted to [[Lieutenant commander (United States)|lieutenant commander]].<ref name="nhhcbio"/>

In the fall of 1901, Fletcher returned to ordnance duty and was closely involved with torpedo warfare. A year later he became Chief of Staff of the [[United States Asiatic Fleet|Asiatic Fleet]] and later in 1905 assumed command of the cruiser {{USS|Raleigh|C-8|6}}. Fletcher attended the [[Naval War College]] courses in both 1907 and 1908 and in 1908 was assigned to the navy's [[General Board of the United States Navy|General Board]] during the next year. That same year, he became a member of the District of Columbia Society of the [[Sons of the American Revolution]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://interactive.ancestry.com/2204/32596_242116-00313?pid=217004&backurl=http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?_phsrc%3DKfX46%26_phstart%3DsuccessSource%26usePUBJs%3Dtrue%26gss%3Dangs-c%26new%3D1%26rank%3D1%26msT%3D1%26gsfn%3DFrank%26gsfn_x%3D0%26gsln%3DFletcher%26gsln_x%3D0%26cp%3D0%26MSAV%3D1%26uidh%3Dvt7%26pcat%3D39%26h%3D217004%26dbid%3D2204%26indiv%3D1%26ml_rpos%3D6&treeid=&personid=&hintid=&usePUB=true&_phsrc=KfX46&_phstart=successSource&usePUBJs=true#?imageId=32596_242116-00313|title = Ancestry® &#124; Genealogy, Family Trees & Family History Records}}</ref>

He was promoted to [[Captain (United States O-6)|captain]] in May 1908 and from November of that year to March 1910 he commanded the battleship {{USS|Vermont|BB-20|6}}. In the spring of 1910, Fletcher became the Secretary of the Navy's Aide for Material. While in that post, he reached the rank of [[Rear Admiral (United States)|rear admiral]]. From 1912 to 1914, he commanded battleship divisions of the [[United States Atlantic Fleet|Atlantic Fleet]]. In April 1914, Fletcher led U.S. Navy forces during the [[United States occupation of Veracruz|landings at Vera Cruz]], Mexico, receiving the [[Medal of Honor]] for his "distinguished conduct in battle".<ref name="nhhcbio" />

In September 1914, Fletcher began two years as the Atlantic Fleet's Commander in Chief, and was elevated to the rank of [[Admiral (United States)|admiral]] in March 1915, the senior of the first three officers to hold the new four-star positions.<ref>{{cite news |title=3 New Admirals Named By President. Fletcher Is Senior, Howard Next, and Cowles Junior in Order of Precedence. Will Hold New Rank While in Command. Vice Admirals to be Appointed Later |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1915/03/11/archives/3-new-admirals-named-by-president-fletcher-is-senior-howard-next.html |quote=President Wilson today designated the three new Admirals of the American Navy provided for by the Naval Appropriation bill. They are Frank Friday Fletcher, Commander in Chief of the Atlantic Battleship Fleet, now in Cuban waters; Thomas B. Howard, Commander in Chief of the Pacific Fleet, now at San Diego, Cal., and Walter C. Cowles, Commander in Chief of the Asiatic Fleet, now at Olongapo, Philippines. ... |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=March 11, 1915 |access-date=2011-03-18 }}</ref> He was a member of the General Board, the [[Joint Army and Navy Board]] and the [[War Industries Board]] in 1916–1919, and was awarded the [[Navy Distinguished Service Medal]] for "meritorious service" during [[World War I]].  He was also awarded the [[Distinguished Service Medal (U.S. Army)|Army Distinguished Service Medal]] for his work as the navy representative on the War Industries Board.

Admiral Fletcher retired on November 23, 1919, with the rank of rear admiral (as was customary at that time), and later served as an official advisor on contemporary defense issues. Fletcher died on November 28, 1928, in [[New York City]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Admiral Fletcher Dies At Age Of 73. Former Commander-in-Chief of Atlantic Fleet Succumbs After an Operation. To Be Buried In Arlington. Was in Command at Capture of Vera Cruz 14 Years Ago. An Inventor of Note |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1928/11/29/archives/admiral-fletcher-dies-at-age-of-73-forger-commanderinchief-of.html |quote=Rear Admiral Frank Friday, Fletcher, U.S.N., retired, who held the rank of admiral while commander-in-chief of the Atlantic fleet and... |newspaper=The New York Times |date=November 29, 1928 |access-date=2011-03-18}}</ref> He was buried at [[Arlington National Cemetery]].<ref name="nhhcbio" />

He was the uncle of [[World War II]] Admiral [[Frank Jack Fletcher]].

==Legacy==

{{multiple image
| align     = right
| direction = vertical
| footer    = Fletcher's Medal of Honor, front and back
| width     = 150
| image1    = 75-66-A Medal of Honor, USN, Type IV,Obverse.jpg
| alt1      = Star-shaped medal on a blue ribbon
| image2    = 75-66-A Medal of Honor, USN, Type IV, Reverse..jpg
| alt2      = Closeup of star-shaped medal's back side
}}

The {{sclass|Fletcher|destroyer|2}} was named for Fletcher and was the most numerous class of destroyers produced during [[World War II]], with 175 completed, and one of the most successful designs of the war.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Friedman|first1=Norman|title=U.S. Destroyers: An Illustrated Design History|url=https://archive.org/details/usdestroyersillu00frie|url-access=limited|date=2004|publisher=Naval Institute Press, Annapolis|page=[https://archive.org/details/usdestroyersillu00frie/page/n120 111]|isbn=9781557504425|edition=Revised}}</ref> The lead ship in the class, {{USS|Fletcher|DD-445}}, was in commission from 1942 to 1969.
==Medal of Honor citation==
Rank and organization: Rear Admiral, U.S. Navy. Born: November 23, 1855, Oskaloosa, Iowa. Accredited to: Iowa. G.O. No.: 177, December 4, 1915.

'''Citation:'''

<blockquote>For distinguished conduct in battle, engagements of Vera Cruz, 21 and 22 April 1914. Under fire, Rear Adm. Fletcher was eminent and conspicuous in the performance of his duties; was senior officer present at Vera Cruz, and the landing and the operations of the landing force were conducted under his orders and directions. In connection with these operations, he was at times on shore and under fire.</blockquote>

==Awards==
*[[Medal of Honor]]
*[[Distinguished Service Medal (United States Navy)|Distinguished Service Medal (U.S. Navy)]]
*[[Distinguished Service Medal (U.S. Army)]]
*[[Spanish Campaign Medal]]
*[[Mexican Service Medal]]
*[[World War I Victory Medal (United States)|World War I Victory Medal]]

==Dates of rank==
*[[Midshipman]]: June 18, 1870
*[[Midshipman|Passed Midshipman]]: June 21, 1875
{|border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" align="center" width="100%"
|-
![[Ensign (rank)|Ensign]]
!Master
![[Lieutenant, Junior Grade|Lieutenant Junior Grade]]
![[Lieutenant]]
![[Lieutenant Commander]]
![[Commander]]
|-
!O-1
!O-2
!O-2
!O-3
!O-4
!O-5
|-
|align="center" width="16%"|[[File:US Navy O1 insignia.svg|60px]]
|align="center" width="17%"|[[File:US Navy O2 insignia.svg|60px]]
|align="center" width="17%"|[[File:US Navy O2 insignia.svg|60px]]
|align="center" width="17%"|[[File:US Navy O3 insignia.svg|60px]]
|align="center" width="16%"|[[File:US Navy O4 insignia.svg|60px]]
|align="center" width="17%"|[[File:US Navy O5 insignia.svg|60px]]

|-
!July 18, 1876
!April 1, 1882
!March 3, 1883
!February 18, 1889
!March 3, 1899
!March 12, 1904
|}
{|border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" align="center" width="100%"
|-
![[Captain (naval)|Captain]]
![[Commodore (rank)|Commodore]]
![[Rear admiral (United States)|Rear Admiral]]
![[Vice admiral (United States)|Vice Admiral]]
![[Admiral]]
|-
!O-6
!O-7
!O-8
!O-9
!O-10
|-
|align="center" width="17%"|[[File:US Navy O6 insignia.svg|60px]]
|align="center" width="20%"|[[File:US Navy O7 insignia.svg|60px]]
|align="center" width="20%"|[[File:US Navy O8 insignia.svg|60px]]
|align="center" width="20%"|[[File:US Navy O9 insignia.svg|60px]]
|align="center" width="20%"|[[File:US Navy O10 insignia.svg|60px]]
|-
!May 1908
!Never Held
!October 1911
!Never Held
!March 10, 1915
|}

==See also==
{{Portal|Biography}}
* [[List of Medal of Honor recipients (Veracruz)]]

==References==
:{{DANFS}}
{{reflist|refs=

<ref name="nhhcbio">{{Cite web
 |title      = Admiral Frank F. Fletcher, USN, (1855-1928)
 |work       = Online Library of Selected Images
 |publisher  = [[Naval History & Heritage Command]]
 |date       = June 16, 2006
 |url        = http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/pers-us/uspers-f/ff-fltr.htm
 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060810143829/http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/pers-us/uspers-f/ff-fltr.htm
 |url-status   = dead
 |archive-date = August 10, 2006
 |access-date = March 17, 2011
}}</ref>

}}
*{{Cite book |access-date=October 5, 2010 |url=https://archive.org/details/recordslivingof00hamegoog |title=Dates of promotion from |publisher=L. R. Hamersly & Company |work=The Records of Living Officers of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps |edition=Sixth |year=1889 |author=Lewis Randolph Hamersly}}

==External links==
* {{commons category-inline|Frank Friday Fletcher}}

{{S-start}}
{{S-mil}}
{{S-bef| before=[[Charles J. Badger]]}}
{{S-ttl|title=[[United States Atlantic Fleet|Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet]]
|years=1914–1916}}
{{S-aft|after=[[Henry T. Mayo]]}}
{{End}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Fletcher, Frank F.}}
[[Category:1855 births]]
[[Category:1928 deaths]]
[[Category:Burials at Arlington National Cemetery]]
[[Category:Naval War College alumni]]
[[Category:People from Oskaloosa, Iowa]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal]]
[[Category:Members of the Sons of the American Revolution]]
[[Category:United States Naval Academy alumni]]
[[Category:United States Navy admirals]]
[[Category:United States Navy Medal of Honor recipients]]
[[Category:Battle of Veracruz (1914) recipients of the Medal of Honor]]
[[Category:United States Navy personnel of the Spanish–American War]]
[[Category:United States Navy World War I admirals]]
[[Category:Military personnel from Iowa]]