Vice Admiral Aubrey W. Fitch

Aubrey Wray Fitch was born in Saint Ignace, Michigan, on 11 June 1883. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1906 and served in several ships, received torpedo training and was an instructor at the Naval Academy during the following eight years. In 1914, he was assigned to the Atlantic Fleet staff 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-1and Lexington CV-2, as well as serving as Chief of Staff to Commander Aircraft, Battle Force and attending the Naval War College.

After commanding Patrol Wing Two in 1940, Rear Admiral Fitch flew his flag in the carriers Saratoga CV-3 and Lexington CV-2 and was with the latter ship when she was lost in the Battle of the Coral Sea in May 1942. In September of that year he took command of the South Pacific Force's aircraft, holding that position during the critical campaigns in the Solomon Islands. Vice Admiral Fitch became Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Air in mid-1944. From August 1945 until January 1947, he was Superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy. He was given the rank of Admiral upon retirement from active service in July 1947. Admiral Aubrey W. Fitch died on 22 May 1978.

(Courtesy of Naval Historical Center)