Aubrey Fitch
Aubrey Fitch (1883-1978) was a U.S. Navy vice admiral, given the rank of admiral on his retirement. He was to have commanded the air cover for the actual relief of Wake Island, and was aboard the USS Lexington (CV-2), sunk during the Battle of the Coral Sea.
He did not command the Wake operation because rear admiral Frank Jack Fletcher, commanding the cruiser force, was senior. [1]
He then commanded naval aviation in the South Pacific, became Vice Chief of Naval Operations for Air, and was Superintendent of the United States Naval Academy in his last assignment. [2]
Early career
A 1906 graduate of the United States Naval Academy, he joined the Atlantic Fleet staff, 1914, ""and was simultaneously Commanding Officer of USS Yankton. Fitch was Gunnery Officer of the battleship USS Wyoming (BB-32) during most of the First World War. In 1920-27, he had a variety of shore duties, commanded a division of destroyer minelayers, and served with the U.S. Mission to Brazil. He then successively became Executive Officer of USS Nevada (BB-36) and Commanding Officer of USS Arctic (AF-7).
"In 1930, following flight training, Fitch was designated a Naval Aviator. During the 1930s, he commanded three naval air stations, a seaplane tender and the aircraft carriers Langley (CV-1) and Lexington (CV-2), as well as serving as Chief of Staff to Commander Aircraft, Battle Force and attending the Naval War College."[2]
References
- ↑ Edwin T. Layton, Roger Pineau and John Costello (1985), "And I was There": Pearl Harbor and Midway: Breaking the Secrets, William Morrow & Company p. 334
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Admiral Aubrey W. Fitch, USN (1883-1978), Naval Historical Center