Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1914-06-09

REAR ADMIRAL FRANK =. FLETCHER.
ditions reached that point where It
would be possible to assign Fletcher to
the feet flagship as commander In
chief.
The fact that Admiral Fletcher was
considered to stand the best chance
for the Atlantic fleet command is an
other instance Of the unexpected in
naval affairs. Until he was ordered to
Mexican waters many months ago his
name had never been mentioned among
the possible successors of Admiral
Badger. But in Mexico Fletcher quick
~ grasped the situation and within
few weeks the newspapers began to
print stories Of the tact and ability
of the man who was exercising what
was admittedly the most important
command held by any officer since the
Spanish war.
The time came for Fletcher to be re-
lieved and brought back to home wa
tiers. but so well had he handled the
delicate situations that had arisen at
Vera Cruz and Tampico that the navy
department told him to stay. not car
ing to trust the command to an officer
who might fail to live up to the stand
ard that Fletcher had set. And SO
Fletcher has remained, switching his
flag from ship to ship as each squad.
ron came to take its place. 80
Admiral Frank Friday Fletcher was
born in Oskaloosa. Ia, Nov. %, 1855.
He entered the naval service as ca
Diet midshipman from the Fourth con-
gressional district Of Iowa Sept. %,
~l87O, graduating from the Naval acad-
envy in June. 1876.
During the Spanish-American war he
served as assistant chief Of the bureau
Of ordnance from April 2, 1893, to July
Z. 1898; on board the st. Louis from
July 8. 1893. to July IS, 1898; in com.
mand of the Kanawha from July 10.
1893. to Oct. 6, 1893. and in command
Of the Eagle from Oct. g. 1893, until
after the close of the war.
He was promoted to commander on
March ~. 1904. serving in that grade
rs inspector Of ordnance in charge Of
the torpedo station from Nov. 10. 1904.
to March Is, 1905; as chief of stan to
commander in chief Of Asiatic feet
from May II, 1905. to November, 1905.
He was promoted to captain on May
Is. 1908. serving in that grade in COM
mand Of the Vermont from Nov. 0.
1908, to Feb. Is. 1910. and as aid to the
secretary Of the navy for division Of
material from March 16. 1910. to July
20, 1912.
He was promoted to rear admiral
Oct. II. 1911. serving in that grade in
command Of the Fourth division Of the
Atlantic feet from Aug. l. 1912. to
Jan. 4. 1918: In command Of the Sec
ond division Of the Atlantic feet from
Jan. 4, 1912. to Nov. 6, 1918, and In
command Of the First division Of the
Atlantic feet from Nov. 9: 1918, on
which duty he Is serving at the pres.
ent time.
Fletcher ID an inventive genius and
one Of the highest authorities on naval
ordnance. He has invented breech
mechanism. a gun mount ana other
things.
Measuring Him.
"A little anal advice" said . pro
lessor Of elocution. addressing his pu
pills before the annual entertainment
''go well to the front Of the stage, don't
hesitate and don't be nervous"
But. say, professor" remarked q
very self satisfied member Of the
class; suppose I forget part Of my ora
tionr'
"Oh. that doesn't matter" replied the
professor. ION the contrary. The more
Of It you forget the better The audi.
ence will like it!'