Vice Admiral Fitch assumed duty as the superintendent of the Naval Academy on August 16, 1945, and held that post until January 15, 1947, with collateral duty as commandant, Severn River Command. The first aviator to head the Naval Academy, Fitch was instrumental in establishing the Department of Aeronautics, authorized by the Navy on November 28, 1945. Subsequent to heading the academy, Fitch served briefly in the Office of the Undersecretary of the Navy before becoming the senior member of the Naval Clemency and Prison Inspection Board in March 1947. He was so serving when he retired from the Navy and was relieved of all active duty on July 1, 1947. Admiral Fitch died due to a heart ailment combined with a bout with pneumonia in Newcastle, Maine, his adopted state, on May 22, 1978, shortly before his 95th birthday. Namesake In 1981, the U.S. Navy guided-missile frigate was named in Admiral Fitchs honor. The main road to the former NAS Brunswick, is named Admiral Fitch Avenue in his honor. TV & movie portrayals Fitch was portrayed by Mitchell Ryan in the television version of Midway (1976 film) Gallery See also List of Superintendents of the United States Naval Academy References Fitch, Aubrey W., Admiral, USN, Naval Historical Center, Department of the Navy. External links hazegray.org/danfs/ biography of VADM Fitch 1883 births 1978 deaths People from St. Ignace, Michigan United States Naval Aviators Recipients of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal Recipients of the Legion of Merit Recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United States) Superintendents of the United States Naval Academy United States Naval Academy alumni United States Navy admirals United States Navy World War II admirals Burials in Maine Military personnel from Michigan 20th-century American academics