Admiral Frank Jack Fletcher was born in Marshalltown, Iowa on April 29,1885. He joined the U.S. Naval Academy in 1902 and graduated in 1906. He received the Medal of Honor in 1914 for distinguished action in combat at Veracruz, Mexico. He was in overall tactical command at the Battle of Midway in June, 1942. Forces under his command sank four Japanese carriers, at the loss of his own flagship, the U.S.S. Yorktown. He was promoted from Rear Admiral to Vice Admiral after this and helped the U.S. Marines land on Guadalcanal in August of '42. He also help the U.S. win the Battle of East Solomons in August of '42, where he was wounded. He was later placed in command of the North Pacific Area to defend the northwest part of the U.S., and carry the war to the Kurile Islands. He died on April 25th, 1973, four days shy of his 88th birthday. He's buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Show less «