William Douglas Crowder
Encyclopedia
Vice Admiral
William Douglas Crowder retired from the United States Navy
in November 2009 after serving as the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Operations, Plans and Strategy (N3/N5). Vice Admiral Crowder was the 45th commander of the United States 7th Fleet
.
and Quartermaster
, Crowder received a congressional appointment to the United States Naval Academy
where he graduated in June 1974.
At sea, Vice Admiral Crowder has served in numerous ships in both Pacific and Atlantic Fleets including: as CIC Officer in USS Ramsey (FFG-2)
, Aft Propulsion Group Officer in USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63)
, Combat Systems Officer in USS Stump (DD-978)
, and Executive Officer
in USS Yorktown (CG-48)
.
He commanded USS Kidd (DDG-993)
from 1992–1994, operating in both the Pacific and Atlantic, winning the Battle Efficiency "E" Award. In 1998-1999 he commanded Destroyer Squadron 24, deploying to the Mediterranean as part of the USS John F. Kennedy Battle Group. He also served as the Aide and Flag Lieutenant to Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet
.
Ashore, Vice Admiral Crowder has served a number of tours in the Pentagon
including: as action officer on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations
, Strategy and Plans Division (OP-60); Surface Warfare
Analyst in the Office of Program Appraisal (Office of Secretary of the Navy); Deputy Executive Assistant to the Vice Chief of Naval Operations
; Chief of the Planning and Integration Branch, Joint Staff (J-8); Senior Staff of the National Defense Panel; and as Executive Assistant to the Vice Chief of Naval Operations. He also served as Executive Assistant and Senior Naval Aide to the Commander-in-Chief U.S. Pacific Fleet
.
Vice Admiral Crowder commanded U.S. 7th fleet from September 2006 to July 2008. Prior to assuming that command, he was ADCNO for Information, Plans, and Strategy (OPNAV N3/N5B) in August 2005. His previous Flag assignments were as Director, Deep Blue, the Navy Operations Group, from August 2002 to May 2004, Director, Operations, Plans and Political Military Affairs Division (N31/N52) from September 2001-October 2002 — both on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations. Additionally he served as Commander, Carrier Strike Group Nine/Abraham Lincoln Strike Group from July 2004 to August 2005 deploying to the western Pacific and serving as Commander, Combined Support Group Indonesia, as part of Operation Unified Assistance
(Tsunami Relief effort).
, Switzerland from 1980-82. In November 1982, he was awarded the Jean Monnet Medal for Leadership by the President of the French Senate in Paris
.
Vice Admiral
Vice admiral is a senior naval rank of a three-star flag officer, which is equivalent to lieutenant general in the other uniformed services. A vice admiral is typically senior to a rear admiral and junior to an admiral...
William Douglas Crowder retired from the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
in November 2009 after serving as the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Operations, Plans and Strategy (N3/N5). Vice Admiral Crowder was the 45th commander of the United States 7th Fleet
United States 7th Fleet
The Seventh Fleet is the United States Navy's permanent forward projection force based in Yokosuka, Japan, with units positioned near Japan and South Korea. It is a component fleet force under the United States Pacific Fleet. At present, it is the largest of the forward-deployed U.S. fleets, with...
.
Career
The son of a navy Master ChiefMaster Chief Petty Officer
- Master Chief Petty Officer :U.S. Coast GuardMaster ChiefPetty OfficerCap & Collar deviceU.S. Coast GuardMaster ChiefPetty OfficerinsigniaGood conductRating badgeMaster ChiefPetty OfficerCap & Collar Insignia...
and Quartermaster
Quartermaster
Quartermaster refers to two different military occupations depending on if the assigned unit is land based or naval.In land armies, especially US units, it is a term referring to either an individual soldier or a unit who specializes in distributing supplies and provisions to troops. The senior...
, Crowder received a congressional appointment to the United States Naval Academy
United States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
where he graduated in June 1974.
At sea, Vice Admiral Crowder has served in numerous ships in both Pacific and Atlantic Fleets including: as CIC Officer in USS Ramsey (FFG-2)
USS Ramsey (FFG-2)
USS Ramsey was a Brooke-Class Destroyer, later a Frigate, in the United States Navy. She was named for Admiral DeWitt Clinton Ramsey....
, Aft Propulsion Group Officer in USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63)
USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63)
The supercarrier USS Kitty Hawk , formerly CVA-63, was the second naval ship named after Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, the site of the Wright brothers' first powered airplane flight...
, Combat Systems Officer in USS Stump (DD-978)
USS Stump (DD-978)
USS Stump , named after Admiral Felix Budwell Stump USN, was a built by the Ingalls Shipbuilding Division of Litton Industries at Pascagoula, Mississippi. The USS Stump was decommissioned and stricken on 22 October 2004.-History:...
, and Executive Officer
Executive officer
An executive officer is generally a person responsible for running an organization, although the exact nature of the role varies depending on the organization.-Administrative law:...
in USS Yorktown (CG-48)
USS Yorktown (CG-48)
USS Yorktown was a in the United States Navy from 1984 to 2004, named for the American Revolutionary War Battle of Yorktown.-History:...
.
He commanded USS Kidd (DDG-993)
USS Kidd (DDG-993)
USS Kidd was the lead ship in her class of destroyers operated by the U.S. Navy. Derived from the Spruance class, these vessels were designed for air defense in hot weather. The vessel was the second named after Medal of Honor recipient Rear Admiral Isaac C...
from 1992–1994, operating in both the Pacific and Atlantic, winning the Battle Efficiency "E" Award. In 1998-1999 he commanded Destroyer Squadron 24, deploying to the Mediterranean as part of the USS John F. Kennedy Battle Group. He also served as the Aide and Flag Lieutenant to Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet
U.S. Atlantic Fleet
The United States Fleet Forces Command is an Atlantic Ocean theater-level component command of the United States Navy that provides naval resources that are under the operational control of the United States Northern Command...
.
Ashore, Vice Admiral Crowder has served a number of tours in the Pentagon
The Pentagon
The Pentagon is the headquarters of the United States Department of Defense, located in Arlington County, Virginia. As a symbol of the U.S. military, "the Pentagon" is often used metonymically to refer to the Department of Defense rather than the building itself.Designed by the American architect...
including: as action officer on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations
Chief of Naval Operations
The Chief of Naval Operations is a statutory office held by a four-star admiral in the United States Navy, and is the most senior uniformed officer assigned to serve in the Department of the Navy. The office is a military adviser and deputy to the Secretary of the Navy...
, Strategy and Plans Division (OP-60); Surface Warfare
Surface warfare
Modern naval warfare is divided into three operational areas: surface warfare, air warfare and submarine warfare. Each area comprises specialized platforms and strategies used to exploit tactical advantages unique and inherent to that area....
Analyst in the Office of Program Appraisal (Office of Secretary of the Navy); Deputy Executive Assistant to the Vice Chief of Naval Operations
Vice Chief of Naval Operations
The Vice Chief of Naval Operations is the second highest ranking officer in the United States Navy. In the event that the Chief of Naval Operations is absent or is unable to perform his duties, the VCNO assumes the duties and responsibilities of the CNO. The VCNO may also perform other duties...
; Chief of the Planning and Integration Branch, Joint Staff (J-8); Senior Staff of the National Defense Panel; and as Executive Assistant to the Vice Chief of Naval Operations. He also served as Executive Assistant and Senior Naval Aide to the Commander-in-Chief U.S. Pacific Fleet
United States Fleet Forces Command
The United States Fleet Forces Command is an Atlantic Ocean theater-level component command of the United States Navy that provides naval resources that are under the operational control of the United States Northern Command...
.
Vice Admiral Crowder commanded U.S. 7th fleet from September 2006 to July 2008. Prior to assuming that command, he was ADCNO for Information, Plans, and Strategy (OPNAV N3/N5B) in August 2005. His previous Flag assignments were as Director, Deep Blue, the Navy Operations Group, from August 2002 to May 2004, Director, Operations, Plans and Political Military Affairs Division (N31/N52) from September 2001-October 2002 — both on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations. Additionally he served as Commander, Carrier Strike Group Nine/Abraham Lincoln Strike Group from July 2004 to August 2005 deploying to the western Pacific and serving as Commander, Combined Support Group Indonesia, as part of Operation Unified Assistance
Operation Unified Assistance
Operation Unified Assistance is the name of the United States military's response to the tsunami of 2004.-Overview:On 28 December, the first elements of the Combined Support Force were deployed to Utapao, Thailand following that country's approval of the use of that base.More than 12,600...
(Tsunami Relief effort).
Honors
Vice Admiral Crowder was selected as an Olmsted Scholar and studied European Economic and Political Affairs at the University of LausanneUniversity of Lausanne
The University of Lausanne in Lausanne, Switzerland was founded in 1537 as a school of theology, before being made a university in 1890. Today about 12,000 students and 2200 researchers study and work at the university...
, Switzerland from 1980-82. In November 1982, he was awarded the Jean Monnet Medal for Leadership by the President of the French Senate in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
.
- Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver StarOrder of the Rising SunThe is a Japanese order, established in 1875 by Emperor Meiji of Japan. The Order was the first national decoration awarded by the Japanese Government, created on April 10, 1875 by decree of the Council of State. The badge features rays of sunlight from the rising sun...
, 2008 (Japan).