George Cregan (December 11, 1885 – June 30, 1969) was a commander in the United States Navy. He was a recipient of both the Medal of Honor and the Navy Cross.
George Cregan | |
|---|---|
| Born | December 11, 1885 New York City, New York |
| Died | June 30, 1969 (aged 83) |
| Place of burial | |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service | United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1907–1947 |
| Rank |  Commander |
| Unit | USS Florida (BB-30) |
| Battles / wars | Border War
World War I World War II |
| Awards | Medal of Honor Navy Cross |
Biography
Cregan enlisted in the United States Navy in 1907 and served for 40 years, serving on board over 30 different vessels.
He was a recipient of the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest military award for valor, for his role in the United States occupation of Veracruz when he was a coxswain.
He was also awarded the Navy Cross, the second highest military decoration awarded to a member of the United States Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and to members of the Coast Guard for extraordinary heroism. He received the Navy Cross for his participation in the 1929 salvage operation of the submarine USS S-4.
Cregan was promoted to the warrant officer rank of boatswain on March 15, 1920, chief boatswain on February 20, 1924 and to lieutenant on March 1, 1943. He was promoted to lieutenant commander upon his retirement from the Navy on March 1, 1947.
He died June 30, 1969, and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia. His grave can be found in section 46, lot 1066.
Awards
- Medal of Honor
- Navy Cross
- Mexican Service Medal
- World War I Victory Medal
- American Defense Service Medal
- American Campaign Medal
- World War II Victory Medal
Medal of Honor citation
Rank and organization: Coxswain, U.S. Navy. Place and date: On board the U.S.S. Florida, at Vera Cruz, Mexico, 21 April 1914. Entered service at: New York. Born: 11 December 1885, New York, N.Y. G.O. No.: 101, 15 June 1914.
Citation:
On board the U.S.S. Florida, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession during the seizure of Vera Cruz, Mexico, 21 April 1914. Cregan was ashore when he volunteered for an assault detail under Ens. George Maus Lowry on the Vera Cruz Customhouse under enemy fire both in the alley between the customhouse and warehouse and the assault over objective's walls. During the move up the alley, he tended a wounded comrade, J. F. Schumaker, holding a compress with one hand and firing with the other.
Navy Cross citation
Rank and organization: Chief Boatswain, U.S. Navy. Action date: December 17, 1927 - March 17, 1928. Company: Submarine and Rescue Salvage Unit. Division: U.S.S. Sagamore.
Citation:
For distinguished service to the Government of the United States in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. SAGAMORE throughout the salvage operations of the Submarine S-4, sunk as a result of a collision off Provincetown, Massachusetts, on 17 December 1927. the skillful handling of the SAGAMORE together with the excellent judgment, zeal, efficiency and untiring devotion to duty of her Commanding Officer, was an important factor in the final success of the operations. Chief Boatswain Cregan's actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
See also
References
This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Army Center of Military History.
- "George Cregan". Claim to Fame: Medal of Honor recipients. Find a Grave. Retrieved 2009-05-21.
- ""GEORGE CREGAN" entry". Medal of Honor recipients: Mexican Campaign (Vera Cruz). United States Army Center of Military History. June 8, 2009. Retrieved 2008-05-20.
- "Arlington National Cemetery Biography". Retrieved September 29, 2010.