Fredericksburg in Gillespie County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
U.S.S. Fletcher
DD445
— First in Class —
Photographed By James Hulse, April 27, 2022
1. U.S.S. Fletcher Marker
Fletcher
Commissioned June 30, 1942
Decommissioned Aug. 1, 1969
Dedicated to the U.S.S. Fletcher and to the officers and crew members who served aboard during the years of World War Two in the Pacific.
Dedicated to the memory of the men who were killed in action at Corregidor; February 14, 1945 • Elmer Bigelow • Homer Cooper • Robert Grafton • Clarence Roach • Johnny G. Smith • Frank Wilhelm • George Winnie
Dedicated to the officers and crew who served during the twenty five active year life of the ship which was recommissioned as DDE-445 for service during the Korean and Vietnam Conflict.
This memorial sponsored by U.S.S. Fletcher Reunion Group Incorporated
U.S.S. Fletcher DD445 was the first of the "2100 Tonners". During World War Two the U.S.S. Fletcher claimed 16 battle stars, all earned while in service under Admiral Chester W. Nimitz Commander in Chief Pacific Fleet.
World War II credits
Enemy surface units 2 heavy destroyers & 1 Japanese submarine sunk by USS Fletcher
Two destroyers and one battleship were damaged by Fletcher
1 German submarine probably sunk.....
Enemy aircraft:
twelve shot down • unassisted
eight shot down • shared credit
Firing
this page online
3 surface action
31 anti-aircraft
5 anti-submarine
16 bombardment
1,000+survivors rescued from planes & ships
Erected by National Museum of the Pacific War and U.S.S. Fletcher Reunion Group Incorporated.
Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: War, Korean • War, Vietnam • War, World II.
Location. 30° 16.347′ N, 98° 52.032′ W. Marker is in Fredericksburg, Texas, in Gillespie County. Memorial is at the intersection of East Austin Street and North Washington Street on East Austin Street. The marker is located in the central section of the WWII Veterans Memorial Courtyard which is a part of the National Museum of the Pacific War. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 311 East Austin Street, Fredericksburg TX 78624, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Americal Division (here, next to this marker); U.S.S. Halford (DD-480) (here, next to this marker); U.S.S. Trenton (CL-11) (here, next to this marker); U.S.S. Bisbee (PF46) (here, next to this marker); U.S.S. Natoma Bay (CVE-62) (here, next to this marker); "Lefty's Wolfpack" (here, next to this marker); The U.S.S. Samuel B. Roberts (DE-413)
Photographed By James Hulse, April 27, 2022
2. The U.S.S. Fletcher Marker is the third large marker from the left side
Also see . . . USS Fletcher DD445. Destroyer History Foundation
USS Fletcher (DD 445) of the 175-ship 2,100-ton Fletcher class was an outstanding example of promise fulfilled. Completed in June 1942, she arrived at Guadalcanal in October and soon proved herself during a vital time when the US Navy’s posture in the Pacific war was changing from defensive to offensive, an auspicious beginning to a 27-year career.(Submitted on October 31, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)
Public Domain - US Navy, July 18, 1942
3. U.S.S. Fletcher
The U.S. Navy destroyer USS Fletcher (DD-445) maneuvering off New York City (USA) on 18 July 1942. She is painted in Camouflage Measure 12 (Modified).
Credits. This page was last revised on October 31, 2022. It was originally submitted on October 31, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 106 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 31, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
