Naval History and Heritage Command

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George Clifford Crawford was born in Old Fort, North Carolina, on July 9, 1896 [editor’s note: 1897 is typed by mistake in original biography], son of Zeb Vance Crawford and Mrs. (Callie Watkins) Crawford. He attended Columbian Preparatory School, Washington, D.C., prior to his appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland, from his native state in 1917. As a Midshipman he served during the summer of 1918 in the USS Wisconsin, which operated with the Atlantic Fleet during World War I. Graduated and commissioned Ensign in June 1921, he subsequently attained the rank of Rear Admiral on January 2, 1947, to date from May 1, 1944, having served in the temporary rank of Commodore from June 15, 1945 until January 31, 1946.

After graduation from the Naval Academy in 1921, he joined the USS Nevada, a unit of Division SEVEN, Battleship Squadron FOUR, Pacific Fleet. Detached in May 1922, he transferred to the USS Arizona, flagship of Division SEVEN, Battleship Squadron FOUR, Pacific, and as a unit of Division FOUR and THREE, Battle Fleet, successively. He had instruction at the Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida, during August and September 1925, and for the next month was assigned to the USS Reno. In January 1927 he was assigned to submarine training in the USS Chewink, station ship at the Submarine Base, New London, Connecticut. Upon completing the course in June of that year, he reported to Commander Submarine Division FOURTEEN, based at Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii, and was subsequently assigned to the USS R-18. He continued duty in that submarine until April 1929, when he became Officer in Charge of the Naval Recruitment Station, Raleigh, North Carolina.

In August 1931 he reported to the Commander Submarine Squadron FOUR, and between October of that year and March 1934, he commanded the USS S-34. He had a second tour of duty at the Navy Recruiting Station, Raleigh, and was detached in May 1936 to assist in fitting out the USS Perch. He commanded that submarine from her commissioning in November 1936 until June 1939, when he was assigned to the Submarine School, Submarine Base, New London, Connecticut, as an Instructor. In August 1940 he became Officer in Charge of that School, and served as such until August 1941.

Following duty as a Special Naval Observer at the American Embassy, London, England, he assumed command in March 1942 of Submarine Division FORTY-THREE. In June 1943 he joined the staff of Commander Submarine Force, Atlantic Fleet, as Chief of Staff and Aide, and for “exceptionally meritorious conduct…” in this assignment, was awarded the Legion of Merit. The citation continues in part: “Serving with distinction in an assignment of vital importance, (he) skillfully supervised and coordinated the administration of anti-submarine training services for air and surface units of the Atlantic Fleet and, in addition, was in large measure responsible for the indoctrination, organization and training of new construction submarines prior to their departure for the Pacific area…”

He assumed command in August 1944 of Submarine Squadron TWENTY FOUR, and remained in that command until March 1945. In April he reported as Assistant Chief of Staff for Personnel, Fourth Naval District, with headquarters at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and in June 1945 he became Chief of Staff and Aide to the Commander Submarine Forces, Pacific Fleet. For the combined duties as Commander Submarine Division FORTY-THREE, from April 1942 to June 1943; as Commander Submarine Squadron TWENTY-FOUR, from August 1944 to February 1945; and as Chief of Staff to Commander Submarine Forces, Pacific Fleet, from June to September 1945, he was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Legion of Merit. The citation states in part:

“…An outstanding administrator and leader, (he) directed the training and general readiness of the submarines under his command. His resourcefulness and devotion to the fulfillment of his assignments throughout this period were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.”

In February 1946 he reported for duty at the Naval Base, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and a month later became Chief of Staff to the Commander of that Base. He remained in that assignment until September 1946, when he assumed command of the USS Chicago. When detached from that cruiser in January 1947, he reported for a year’s duty as Commander Cruiser Division THREE.

Between February and October 1948 he had duty as General Inspector, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, after which he served as Commander Amphibious Group THREE.* In July 1949 he reported to Commander, Naval Base, Long Beach, California. In May 1950 he transferred in a like capacity to the Naval Base, Norfolk, Virginia, where he remained for two years. He assumed command of Submarine Force, Atlantic, on May 16, 1952, and on November 13, 1954 was detached. He assumed duty on November 27, 1954 as Commandant of the Sixth Naval District, with additional duty as Commander Naval Base, Charleston, South Carolina, and after a brief period of hospitalization was transferred to the Retired List of the U.S. Navy, effective April 1, 1958.

[* Assumed command 1 Dec 1948. BuPers Flag Officer List of 1 Dec 1948.]

In addition to the Legion of Merit with Gold Star, Rear Admiral Crawford has the World War I Victory Medal, Atlantic Fleet Clasp; American Defense Service Medal, Base Clasp; American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal; Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal; World War II Victory Medal; Navy Occupation Service Medal, Asia Clasp; China Service Medal; and the National Defense Service Medal.

He died in Asheville, North Carolina on July 21, 1993.

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