The President of the United States
in the name of
The Congress
takes pleasure in presenting the
Medal of Honor
to
FLETCHER, FRANK JACK
Rank and organization: Lieutenant, U.S.
Navy. Place and date: Vera Cruz, Mexico, 21 and 22 April 1914. Entered
service at: Iowa. Born: 29 April 1885, Marshalltown, lowa. G.O. No.:
177, 4 December 1915.
Citation:
For distinguished conduct in battle,
engagements of Vera Cruz, 21 and 22 April 1914. Under fire, Lt. 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. Lt. 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.
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