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-1) and 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 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.
