U.S. Naval
Graduation 1906. Aviator. At Coral Sea, commanded TF11, flagship Lexington.
After loss of this carrier under the tactical command of Admiral Fletcher,
Fitch became commander of Saratoga's TF, arriving with her two days
late for the Battle of Midway, then taking over command of the carriers.
When Admiral Fletcher took over Saratoga for the Guadalcanal ops,
Fitch became COMAIRPAC, governing the Pacific Fleet's carriers
and planes. When Admiral
Leigh Noyes was reassigned to this job, Fitch, in September took over from
Admiral McCain as COMAIRSOPAC. Very energetically, Fitch organized the
ground-based aerial operations in the Solomons, including the supply of
Henderson Field with planes and fuel. Fitch stayed in his post through
the Guadalcanal campaign, then, in August 1944, to become Vice Chief of
Naval Operations (Air) at Washington, leading the Navy's administrational
aspect of naval air power. Post-war, he became the first aviator in the
office of Superintendebt of the US Naval Academy.
