| Aubrey Wray Fitch | |
|---|---|
| June 11, 1883 – May 22, 1978 (aged 94) | |
 VADM Aubrey W. Events 1184 BC - Trojan War: Troy is sacked and burned according to the calculations of Eratosthenes. Year 1883 ( MDCCCLXXXIII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Events 334 BC - The Greek army of Alexander the Great defeats Darius III of Persia in the Battle of the Granicus. Year 1978 ( MCMLXXVIII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1978 Gregorian calendar) Fitch, USN (18 March 1946) |
|
| Place of birth | Saint Ignace, Michigan |
| Place of death | Maine |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch | United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1906-1947 |
| Rank | Admiral |
| Commands held | USS Langley NAS Pensacola Carrier Division Aircraft, South Pacific Force |
| Battles/wars | World War I *Battle of the Coral Sea *Battle of Santa Cruz Islands *Naval Battle of Guadalcanal |
| Awards | Navy Distinguished Service Medal Distinguished Flying Cross Legion of Merit |
| Other work | United States Naval Academy, Superintendent |
Aubrey Wray Fitch (11 June 1883 – 22 May 1978) was an admiral of the United States Navy during World War II. Michigan ( is a Midwestern state of the United States of America. The State of Maine ( is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America, bordering the Atlantic Ocean The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Admiral is the rank, or part of the name of the ranks of the highest Naval officers Collier President William H Taft attended the ceremony when Jupiter' s keel was laid down on 18 October 1911 at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard Naval Air Station Pensacola or NAS Pensacola, "The Cradle of Naval Aviation" is a United States Navy base located in Warrington, Florida World War I (abbreviated WWI; also known as the First World War, the Great War, and the War to End All The Battle of the Coral Sea, fought from May 4 – May 8, 1942, with most of the action occurring on May 7 and May 8, was The Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands, October 26, 1942, sometimes referred to as the Battle of Santa Cruz or in Japanese sources as the, was the fourth The Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, sometimes referred to as the Third and Fourth Battles of Savo Island, the Battle of the Solomons or in Japanese sources as The Navy Distinguished Service Medal is a military award of the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps which was first created in 1919 The Distinguished Flying Cross is a medal awarded to any officer or enlisted member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself or herself in The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding Events 1184 BC - Trojan War: Troy is sacked and burned according to the calculations of Eratosthenes. Year 1883 ( MDCCCLXXXIII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Events 334 BC - The Greek army of Alexander the Great defeats Darius III of Persia in the Battle of the Granicus. Year 1978 ( MCMLXXVIII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1978 Gregorian calendar) Admiral is the rank, or part of the name of the ranks of the highest Naval officers World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including A naval aviator, he held important aviation-related commands both at sea and on shore from the 1920s onward. He also served as Superintendent of the United States Naval Academy. The United States Naval Academy is an undergraduate college in Annapolis, Maryland, United States that educates and commissions officers of the United States
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Early life and career
Fitch was born in Saint Ignace, Michigan, on 11 June 1883. Saint Ignace, usually written as St Ignace, is a city in the U Events 1184 BC - Trojan War: Troy is sacked and burned according to the calculations of Eratosthenes. Year 1883 ( MDCCCLXXXIII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common He entered the U.S. Naval Academy in the summer of 1902 and graduated on 12 February 1906. The United States Naval Academy is an undergraduate college in Annapolis, Maryland, United States that educates and commissions officers of the United States Events 1429 - English Forces under Sir John Fastolf defend a supply convoy carrying rations to the army besieging Orleans from attack by the Year 1906 ( MCMVI) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting After serving the two years of sea duty then required by law before commissioning (in the armored cruiser Pennsylvania and the torpedo boat Chauncey Fitch became as ensign on 13 February 1908 and served afloat in Rainbow and Concord before receiving instruction in torpedoes at the Naval Torpedo Station, Newport, R.I., in the school conducted on board the old cruiser Montgomery. The armored cruiser, or armoured cruiser (see spelling differences) is a type of Cruiser, a naval warship. A torpedo boat is a relatively small and fast naval Ship designed to carry Torpedoes into battle Ensign (ˈɛnsən is a junior rank of commissioned officer in the militaries of some countries normally in the infantry or navy Events 1258 - Baghdad falls to the Mongols, and the Abbasid Caliphate is destroyed Year 1908 ( MCMVIII) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year The modern torpedo (historically called an automotive automobile locomotive or fish torpedo is a self-propelled explosive Projectile weapon launched above or below Newport is a city on Aquidneck Island in Newport County, Rhode Island, United States, about 30 miles (48 km south of Providence
Upon completion of the torpedo course, Fitch helped to fit out the battleship Delaware, which commissioned on 4 April 1910 before returning to Annapolis for consecutive tours of duty at the Naval Academy, first as assistant discipline officer between 1911 and 1912 and rater as an instructor of physical training from 1912 to 1913. A battleship is a large heavily armored Warship with a main battery consisting of the largest Calibre of Guns Battleships were Events 1581 - Francis Drake completes a circumnavigation of the world and is knighted by Elizabeth I. Year 1910 ( MCMX) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting Service in the destroyers Balch and Duncan followed before he received his first sea command, the destroyer Terry, with the 2nd Division, Reserve Torpedo Flotilla, Atlantic Fleet. Source See also List of United States Navy destroyers The United States Fleet Forces Command (USFLTFORCOM of the United States Navy is the part of the Navy responsible for operations in and around the Atlantic Ocean.
After serving on the staff of the Commander in Chief, Atlantic Fleet, Fitch assumed command of the yacht Yankton in January 1915, with additional duty as aide to the Commander in Chief.
World War I and afterward
Relieved of command of Yankton shortly after the United States entered World War I in the spring of 1917, Fitch continued his staff duties for another five months before joining Wyoming to serve as her gunnery officer for the remainder of hostilities, as that dreadnought operated with the 6th Battle Squadron, Grand Fleet. World War I (abbreviated WWI; also known as the First World War, the Great War, and the War to End All Pre-World War I Wyoming departed from Philadelphia Pennsylvania, on 6 October and completed the fitting-out process at the New York Navy Yard A battleship is a large heavily armored Warship with a main battery consisting of the largest Calibre of Guns Battleships were The Grand Fleet was a Fleet of the British Royal Navy during the First World War.
After the armistice, Fitch again served at the Naval Academy once more before becoming, concurrently, inspector of ordnance in charge of the Hingham Naval Ammunition Depot in Hingham, MA, and naval inspector of ordnance in charge at the Naval Coaling Station, Frenchman's Bay, Maine. The Hingham Naval Ammunition Depot Annex, sometimes called the “Cohasset Annex” or "Hingham Annex" by local residents was located between Cohasset MA and Hingham is a town in Plymouth County on the South Shore of the U The State of Maine ( is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America, bordering the Atlantic Ocean From August 1920, Fitch commanded a division of fast minelayers, while also commanding in turn Luce and Mahan. Minelaying is the act of deploying explosive mines Historically this has been carried out by ships submarines and aircraft History Luce was laid down by Fore River Shipbuilding Corporation, Quincy Massachusetts, 9 February 1918; launched 29 History Mahan was laid down 4 May 1918 by the Fore River Shipyard, Quincy Massachusetts; launched 4 August
Detached from Mahan in December 1922, Fitch served at Rio de Janeiro until March 1927 as a member of the United States mission to Brazil before reporting back to the Navy Department for a brief tour of duty in Washington, D.C. Going to sea as executive officer of Nevada in May 1927, Fitch assumed command of Arctic (a type of ship sometimes known uncomplimentarily as a "beef boat") in November of that year. Rio de Janeiro ("River of January" ˈhiw dʒi ʒʌˈnejɾu in Brazilian Portuguese, /ˈriːoʊ di ʒəˈnɛroʊ/ in English is the second largest city of Brazil |utc_offset = -2 to -4 |time_zone_DST = BRST |utc_offset_DST = -2 to -5 |cctld Washington DC ( formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, the District, or simply D Design The Nevada class marked "another graduated step in the rapidly evolving American battleship" Post-World War I operations Assigned to the Base Force Pacific Fleet Arctic arrived at San Diego California, on 24 July 1922
Aviation
He reported for aviation instruction at the Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida, in June 1929 and there won his wings as a naval aviator on 4 February 1930. Naval Air Station Pensacola or NAS Pensacola, "The Cradle of Naval Aviation" is a United States Navy base located in Warrington, Florida Florida ( is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States, bordering Alabama to the northwest and Georgia to the Events 211 - Roman Emperor Septimius Severus dies leaving the Roman Empire in the hands of his two quarrelsome sons Year 1930 ( MCMXXX) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display 1930 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Following brief duty at NAS San Diego, California, Fitch assumed command of Wright in the spring of 1930. Naval Air Station North Island or NAS North Island is located at the north end of the Coronado peninsula on San Diego Bay and is the home port of California ( is a US state on the West Coast of the United States, along the Pacific Ocean. Relieved in that billet a little over a year later (July 1931), he then began a year as commanding officer of the Navy's first aircraft carrier, Langley. An aircraft carrier is a Warship designed with Collier President William H Taft attended the ceremony when Jupiter' s keel was laid down on 18 October 1911 at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard
After commanding NAS Hampton Roads, Virginia, until June 1935 Fitch reported as chief of staff to Commander, Aircraft, Battle Force, and remained in that billet until assuming command of Lexington (CV-2) in April 1936. The Commonwealth of Virginia ( is an American state Construction The Lexington is named after the battle of Lexington that took place in Lexington Massachusetts in 1775 Subsequently attending the Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island, from June 1937 to May 1938, Fitch completed the senior course there before assuming command of NAS Pensacola, in June 1938. The Naval War College (NWC is an education and research institution of the United States Navy that specializes in developing ideas for Naval warfare and passing them Newport is a city on Aquidneck Island in Newport County, Rhode Island, United States, about 30 miles (48 km south of Providence In the spring of 1940, he took over the reins of Patrol Wing 2, based at Pearl Harbor, and seven months later, broke his flag in Saratoga as Commander, Carrier Division 1. Pearl Harbor is a Harbor on the Island of O{{okina}}ahu, Hawaii, west of Honolulu. Pre-War Years 1928 – 1940 Saratoga, the first fast carrier in the Navy quickly proved the value of her type The outbreak of hostilities in the Pacific in December 1941 thus found Fitch one of the most experienced carrier commanders afloat. The Pacific Theater of Operations (PTO was the World War II military activity in the Pacific Ocean and the countries bordering it a geographic scope
World War II
Fitch's flagship, Saratoga, figured prominently in the abortive attempt to reinforce Wake Island in December 1941 and was later torpedoed off Oahu in late January 1942, seriously cutting American carrier strength in the Pacific at a critical period. Wake Island (also known as Wake Atoll) is a Coral atoll having a Coastline of 12 miles (19 kilometers in the North Pacific Ocean Oahu (usually Oahu outside Hawaiian and Hawaiian English) known as ''"The Gathering Place", is the third largest of the
Rear Admiral Fitch relieved Vice Admiral Wilson Brown on 3 April 1942, breaking his flag in Lexington, his former command. Vice Admiral is a naval rank equivalent to Lieutenant General in seniority Wilson Brown is the name of Wilson Brown (admiral, World War II naval commander Wilson Brown (Medal of Honor recipient, (1841-1900 Events 1043 - Edward the Confessor is crowned King of England. Year 1942 ( MCMXLII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (the link will display the full 1942 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. During the Battle of the Coral Sea, Fitch served as Commander Task Group 17. The Battle of the Coral Sea, fought from May 4 – May 8, 1942, with most of the action occurring on May 7 and May 8, was 5, consisting of "Lady Lex" and Yorktown (CV-5), and was named Officer in Tactical Command (O. Early career Yorktown was laid down on 21 May 1934 at Newport News Virginia, by the Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Co T. C. ) by Task Force commander Admiral Frank J. Fletcher. Frank Jack Fletcher (April 29 1885 &ndash April 25 1973 was an admiral in the United States Navy during World War II. That engagement, the first in history where neither side came within surface gun range of the other, effectively stopped the Japanese thrust at strategic Port Moresby, but resulted in the first loss of an American aircraft carrier in the war—Lexington, sunk on 8 May 1942. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Japan topics. ||-||-||-||-||-||} Port Moresby (ˌpɔrt ˈmɔrzbi or Pot Mosbi in Tok Pisin, population 255000 (2000 is the Capital and largest city of Papua Events 589 - Reccared summons the Third Council of Toledo 1450 - Jack Cade's Rebellion: Kentishmen Year 1942 ( MCMXLII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (the link will display the full 1942 calendar of the Gregorian calendar.
The admiral then shifted his flag to Minneapolis, which was also flagship of TF 17. Pre World War II She was laid down 27 June 1931 by Philadelphia Navy Yard; launched 6 September 1933; sponsored by Miss Grace Fitch together with Captain Sherman and Lexington's executive officer Commander Morton T. Frederick Carl Sherman (1888 &ndash 27 July 1957) was an admiral of the United States Navy during World War II. Seligman, visited "Lady Lex"'s wounded in Minneapolis' sickbay—an action that "contributed in no small measure to the patients' well-being. " For the leadership he exhibited during the Battle of the Coral Sea, Fitch was awarded his first Distinguished Service Medal. The Distinguished Service Medal is the highest non-valorous military and civilian decoration of the United States of America military which is issued for exceptionally meritorious
He again broke his flag in his former flagship, Saratoga, but the task group formed around that ship arrived too late to take part in the pivotal Battle of Midway. The Battle of Midway was a major Naval battle, widely regarded as the most important one of the Pacific Campaign of World War II.
On 20 September 1942, six weeks after the first American amphibious operation of the war got underway at Guadalcanal, Fitch assumed command of Aircraft, South Pacific Force. Events 451 - The Battle of Chalons takes place in North Eastern France. Year 1942 ( MCMXLII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (the link will display the full 1942 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Guadalcanal (local name Isatabu) is a 2510- Square mile (6500- km²) Island in the Pacific Ocean and a province of the Solomon Pacific Ocean Areas was the major Allied military command in the Pacific Ocean theater of World War II. Not a desk-bound admiral, he carried out numerous, hazardous flights into the combat zones, inspecting air activities incident to the selection of bases for projected operations. For these, he received a Distinguished Flying Cross. The Distinguished Flying Cross is a medal awarded to any officer or enlisted member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself or herself in
Under Fitch's command, AirSoPac—ultimately encompassing not only Navy but Army, Marine Corps, and Royal New Zealand air units—achieved great success in aiding the Allied campaign in the South Pacific. The United States Army Air Forces ( USAAF) was the military aviation arm of the United States of America during and immediately after World War II. The Royal New Zealand Air Force ( RNZAF) is the air arm of the New Zealand Defence Force. Pacific Ocean Areas was the major Allied military command in the Pacific Ocean theater of World War II. Fitch's planes protected Allied shipping, providing vital air cover that strongly assisted the Allies in challenging, and ultimately defeating, the Japanese in the Solomons. The Solomon Islands is a country in Melanesia, east of Papua New Guinea, consisting of nearly one thousand islands In addition, his aircraft performed essential reconnaissance missions, spotting enemy warships prior to the Battle of Santa Cruz Islands in October 1942 and during the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal in November 1942. The Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands, October 26, 1942, sometimes referred to as the Battle of Santa Cruz or in Japanese sources as the, was the fourth The Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, sometimes referred to as the Third and Fourth Battles of Savo Island, the Battle of the Solomons or in Japanese sources as
Later, Fitch oversaw the early experiments in conducting night bombing utilizing radar (a concept which paid great dividends in interdicting Japanese shipping) and encouraged the use of specially modified aircraft to obtain photographic intelligence. Radar is a system that uses electromagnetic waves to identify the range altitude direction or speed of both moving and fixed objects such as Aircraft, ships In addition, for his skillful coordination of the Allied air effort in that area of the world Fitch received a gold star in lieu of a second Distinguished Service Medal.
Fitch returned to Washington in the summer of 1944 and became Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Air). Organization of the CNO's Office The Office of the Chief of Naval Operations includes the Chief of Naval Operations the Vice Chief of Naval Operations, the Deputy Chiefs He skillfully and efficiently directed the aeronautical organization of the Navy, oversaw efforts to assure the readiness and deployment of air units, and planned all of the related logistics measures. For these efforts he received a Legion of Merit. The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding
Post-war service
After V-J Day, Vice Admiral Fitch assumed duty as the Superintendent of the Naval Academy on 16 August 1945 and held that post until 15 January 1947, with collateral duty as Commandant, Severn River Command. Victory over Japan Day ( V-J Day, also known as Victory in the Pacific Day, or V-P Day) is a name chosen for the day on which the Surrender of Events 1384 - The Hongwu Emperor of Ming China, Emperor Dong hears a case of a couple who tore paper money bills while fighting Year 1945 ( MCMXLV) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar Events 588 BC - Nebuchadrezzar II of Babylon lays siege to Jerusalem under Zedekiah 's reign Year 1947 ( MCMXLVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1947 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The first airman to head the Naval Academy, Fitch was instrumental in establishing the Department of Aeronautics, authorized by the Navy on 28 November 1945. For the town in Argentina, see 28 de Noviembre. Events Year 1945 ( MCMXLV) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar
Subsequent to heading the Academy, Fitch served briefly in the Office of the Undersecretary of the Navy before becoming the senior member of the Naval Clemency and Prison Inspection Board in March 1947. He was so serving when he was relieved of all active duty on 1 July 1947. "July 1st" redirects here For the Ayumi Hamasaki song see H (song. Year 1947 ( MCMXLVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1947 calendar of the Gregorian calendar.
Admiral Fitch died in his adopted state, Maine, on 22 May 1978, shortly before his 95th birthday. Events 334 BC - The Greek army of Alexander the Great defeats Darius III of Persia in the Battle of the Granicus. Year 1978 ( MCMLXXVIII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1978 Gregorian calendar)
Namesake
In 1981, USS Aubrey Fitch (FFG-34) was named in Admiral Fitch's honor. 1982 After commissioning Aubrey Fitch remained at Bath for another five weeks completing her outfitting propulsion plant examination and crew inspections
See also
List of Superintendents of the United States Naval Academy
References
- This article includes text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The Naval Academy is organized much like a civilian college The Academy's Superintendent a Navy admiral is the equivalent of a college president The public domain is a range of abstract materials &ndash commonly referred to as Intellectual property &ndash which are not owned or controlled by anyone The Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships ( DANFS for short is the primary reference work for the basic facts about every Ship ever used
- Fitch, Aubrey W., Admiral, USN, Naval Historical Center, Department of the Navy.
External links
| Preceded by John R. Beardall |
Superintendent of United States Naval Academy 1945-1947 |
Succeeded by James L. The Naval Academy is organized much like a civilian college The Academy's Superintendent a Navy admiral is the equivalent of a college president Holloway Jr. |
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