Augustus F. Fechteler

Augustus Francis Fechteler (1 September 1857 – 26 May 1921) was a Rear Admiral of the United States Navy during World War I. He was awarded the Navy Cross and had two ships named after him, USS Fechteler (DE-157) and USS Fechteler (DD-870). His sons were also in the Navy, Admiral William Fechteler was Chief of Naval Operations and Lieutenant Frank Caspar Fechteler, an early naval aviator that died in an airplane crash 18 September 1922.

Biography

Augustus Francis Fechteler, born in Paderborn, Prussia (now Germany) 1 September 1857. His family emigrated to the United States in 1865. He was a member of the United States Naval Academy class of 1877. His distinguished career of service in important posts included command of the 2nd, 6th and 7th Divisions of the Atlantic Fleet, the Norfolk Navy Yard, and the 5th Naval District. He was awarded the Navy Cross for exceptionally meritorious service in duty of great responsibility as Commander of the 6th Division and the Norfolk Navy Yard during World War I. Rear Admiral Fechteler died at the Naval Operating Base, Hampton Roads, Virginia, 26 May 1921.

Commands

• USS South Carolina (BB-26)
• Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV), November 1911 – November 1913
• Norfolk Navy Yard, 5 February 1918 – 10 April 1919
• 5th Naval District, April 1919 – May 1921

Navy Cross

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Rear Admiral Augustus Francis Fechteler, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious service in a duty of great responsibility as Division Commander of the Atlantic Fleet and later as Commandant of the Navy Yard, Norfolk, Va.

References

•  This article incorporates public domain material from the United States Navy document "Fechteler I".