USS Fechteler (DE-157)

Augustus Francis Fechteler -- born in Paderborn, Westphalia, Prussia, on 1 September 1857 – immigrated with his parents to the United States in 1865. By the age of 16 Fechteler had graduated from De LaSalle Institute, New York, and in June 1873, he received an appointment as a cadet midshipman to the U.S. Naval Academy via the Seventh District of New York. Fechteler completed his studies at the Naval Academy in 1877, and then served his mandatory two years at sea, after which he was appointed midshipman on 20 June 1879.

Following his departure from the Academy, Fechteler received assignment to the European Station from June 1879 to November 1888. During that time, he served on board the screw sloop Shenandoah ; with the Coast Survey (1882-1885); on board the receiving ship Vermont ; with the training ships Jamestown and Portsmouth ; and for the last two years of his assignment, in the steam sloop of war Essex . Early on in his time at the European Station, on 23 November 1880, Fechteler was promoted to the rank of ensign. While serving on board Essex he received promotion to lieutenant (j.g.) on 20 May 1887.

On 10 January 1889, Fechteler reported to the Bureau of Navigation, Navy Department, Washington D.C.; and, after serving there for a year, transferred to the Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI), D.C., where he remained until 1892. Following his stint with the ONI, Fechteler transferred to the West Coast and was assigned to the steam sloop of war Mohican . He reported on board that vessel on 16 February 1892 and later that year, on 10 November, received promotion to the rank of lieutenant. On 16 October 1893, Fechteler married Maud Morrow, the daughter of U.S. District Court Judge William M. Morrow of San Rafael, Calif., a union that would ultimately produce four children: Margaret, William M., Frank C., and Elizabeth. His two sons both served in the U.S. Navy, the older, William, attained flag rank and commanded amphibious forces in the liberation of the Philippines, ultimately serving as Chief of Naval Operations (1951-1953); his younger, Frank (see below), a naval aviator, perished in an airplane crash in 1922.

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From the Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, compiled by the Naval History and Heritage Command (Fechteler I (DE-157)). A work of the United States Government, in the public domain.