USS Fletcher (DD-445)

• Namesake: USS Fletcher (DD-445) was named after Admiral Frank Friday Fletcher, a Medal of Honor recipient for his actions during the U.S. occupation of Veracruz, Mexico in 1914. • Lead Ship: Fletcher was the lead ship of her class, the largest class of destroyers ever built for the US Navy, with 175 ships constructed. • World War II Service: USS Fletcher served with distinction in the Pacific Theater during World War II, participating in 17 major engagements and earning 15 battle stars. • Battle of Guadalcanal: Fletcher played a crucial role in the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal in November 1942, helping to sink several Japanese ships and prevent reinforcement of enemy troops. • Kamikaze Attacks: Despite facing multiple kamikaze attacks during her service, USS Fletcher survived the war without being sunk or suffering catastrophic damage. • Rescue Operations: In 1943, Fletcher rescued 646 survivors from the torpedoed cruiser USS Helena during the Battle of Kula Gulf. • Presidential Visit: President Franklin D. Roosevelt visited USS Fletcher in July 1943 while she was anchored at Nouméa, New Caledonia. • Postwar Service: After World War II, Fletcher was decommissioned in 1947, but later recommissioned for service during the Korean War. • Longevity: USS Fletcher served actively until 1969, making her one of the longest-serving destroyers in U.S. Navy history. • Final Fate: Fletcher was stricken from the Naval Vessel Register in 1969 and sold for scrap in 1972, but many artifacts from the ship are preserved in museums and memorials today.