PEOPLE--UNITED STATES

Commander Hugh C. Frazer, USN, (1891-1975)

Hugh Carroll Frazer was born on 22 February 1891 in Martinsburg, West Virginia. Appointed from that same state to the U.S. Naval Academy, he graduated as an Ensign in July 1912 and was assigned to USS South Carolina. Remaining on board, he later participated in the intervention at Vera Cruz, Mexico. On 22 April 1914, while under fire at an exposed point, Frazer retrieved a wounded man. For his "extraordinary heroism," he awarded the Medal of Honor. After submarine instruction on board USS Prairie, he reported to submarine K-5. In July 1915, Frazer was promoted to Lieutenant Junior Grade. In August 1916, he received orders to command submarine N-2, which he led throughout World War I. Following the United States' entry into WWI, Frazer was promoted to Lieutenant in August 1917 then to Lieutenant Commander a year later.

Following the Armistice ending World War I, Frazer served in the Office of the Secretary of the Navy, Josephus Daniels. In December 1920, he was ordered to Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida. The next summer, he transferred to Naval Torpedo Station, Newport, Rhode Island, where he was reverted to Lieutenant. In May 1922, he was assigned to Air Squadrons, Scouting Fleet in the Atlantic Fleet and was permanently promoted to Lieutenant Commander that summer. In April 1924, Frazer received orders to Naval Station, Pearl Harbor, then Territory of Hawaii, where he became trained as a Naval Aviator.

In June 1927, after completing the Junior Officer course at the Naval War College at Newport, Rhode Island, Frazer received orders to command Observation Squadron Six, Airfield Squad, Scout Fleeting and subsequently commanded various observation squadrons until June 1930 when he was assigned to Naval Air Station, San Diego, California. While at San Diego, he completed the U.S. Navy's Correspondence Course. In April 1932, he reported on board USS Antares, which was serving as an aviation transport. In June 1933, Frazer retired and was placed on the retired list. During WWII, he was recalled to active duty in February 1942 and was promoted to Commander, only to be placed back on the retired list. Hugh C. Frazer died on 9 July 1975 and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia.

This page features all the views we have concerning Hugh C. Frazer.

Photo #: NH 49426 Ensign Hugh C. Frazer, USN He was awarded the Medal of Honor for "extraordinary heroism" at Vera Cruz, Mexico, 22 April 1914. Frazer was a crewmember of USS South Carolina during this time frame. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph Online Image: 55KB; 625 x 765 pixels
Photo #: NH 49426-A Ensign Hugh C. Frazer, USN He was awarded the Medal of Honor for "extraordinary heroism" at Vera Cruz, Mexico, 22 April 1914. Frazer was a crewmember of USS South Carolina during this time frame. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, Naval History and Heritage Command collection Online Image: 45KB; 600 x 765 pixels
Photo #: NH 56908 Inspection Tour of German U-Boat 117, 22 May 1919 The Secretary of the War Newton D. Baker and the Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels are pictured with men during the inspection of the U-Boat, which was anchored off the Naval Militia Pier. The following personnel are pictured in the front row from left to right: Lieutenant Commander A. G. Durrell, USN; Secretary of War, the Honorable Newton D. Baker; Secretary of the Navy, the Honorable Josephus Daniels; Chief of Staff, U.S. Army, General Peyton C. March, USA; Secretary to Secretary Daniels, Lieutenant Commander Hugh C. Frazer, USN; Secretary to Secretary Baker, Mr. Ralph Hays (behind LCDR Frazer); and Lieutenant Commander J. R. Rayhard, USN Note the man in the dark sweater, between Secretary Baker and Secretary Daniels, is James J. "Chick" Ralph, past National President of the Fleet Reserve Association. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph Online Image: 71KB; 740 x 580 pixels
Photo #: NH 91515 Senior and Junior Class and Staff of the Naval War College, 1927 This photograph shows the officer students and staff of the Naval War College at Newport, Rhode Island during 1927. Rear Admiral William V. Pratt was President of the Naval War College during this time. Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation, Washington D.C. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph Online Image: 114KB; 740 x 640 pixels

For higher resolution images see: Obtaining Photographic Reproductions

To the best of our knowledge, the pictures referenced here are all in the Public Domain, and can therefore be freely downloaded and used for any purpose.