Augustus Francis Fechteler – Rear Admiral, United States Navy

Born at Paderborn, Prussia, September 1, 1857, he was brought to the United States by his parents in 1865. He graduated from De LaSalle Institute, New York, in 1873 and from the United States Naval Academy in 1877. He married Maud, daughter of U.S. Circuit Judge W. W. Morrow of San Rafael, California, October 16, 1893.

He was commissioned Ensign, November 23, 1880 and then promoted through the grades to Rear Admiral, June 11, 1915. He made his first cruise on the flagship USS Trenton to the Mediterranean and later served aboard the USS Shenandoah in the South Atlantic. Served on coast survey duties, 1882-85; a cruise around the world, through the Suez Canal, 1886-89; in the Office of Naval Intelligence, Washington, 1889-92; in the Behring Sea, protecting seal herds, 1892-94; in charge of the Hydrographic Office, San Francisco, 1894-96; on the USS Monterey, participating in the taking of Manila, then navigator of USS Concord, later USS Solace, 1896-99.

Served as aide to the Commandant, Mare Island, California, 1899-1901; at the Union Iron Works, San Francisco, 1903-04; the Office of Naval Intelligence, Washington, 1904-05; in command of the cruiser, USS Dubuque, 1905-06; Member of the Board of Inspection and Survey, Washington, 1906-10. He commanded the battleship, USS South Carolina, 1910-11, cruising to English Channel and then the Baltic Sea. President, Board of Inspection, 1911-13; aide for Inspection to the Secretary of the Navy, 1913-14; Commander, Division of Battleships, Atlantic Fleet, June 1915. Commandant, Norfolk (Virginia) Naval Yard, June 1918 and 5th Naval District, April 1919. His sons were Frank Caspar Fechteler and William Morrow Fechteler.

He died on May 26, 1921 and was buried in Section 2 of Arlington National Cemetery. His wife, Maud Morrow Fechteler, is buried with him.

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