Frank Friday Fletcher

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Rear Admiral Frank Friday Fletcher, United States Navy, for distinguished conduct in battle during the engagements of Vera Cruz, Mexico, 21 and 22 April 1914. Under fire, Lieutenant Fletcher was eminent and conspicuous in performance of his duties. He was in charge of the ESPERANZE and succeeded in getting on board over 350 refugees, many of them after the conflict had commenced. Although the ship was under fire, being struck more than 30 times, he succeeded in getting all the refugees placed in safety. Lieutenant Fletcher was later placed in charge of the train conveying refugees under a flag of truce. This was hazardous duty, as it was believed that the track was mined, and a small error in dealing with the Mexican guard of soldiers might readily have caused a conflict, such a conflict at one time being narrowly averted. It was greatly due to his efforts in establishing friendly relations with the Mexican soldiers that so many refugees succeeded in reaching Vera Cruz from the interior.