Role Rugby union halfback Years of service 1907–1947 Height 1.73 m | Rank Commander Spouse Erica Gregan Name George Cregan | |
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Born December 11, 1885New York City, New York ( 1885-12-11 ) Died June 30, 1969(1969-06-30) (aged 83) Allegiance United States of America Children Charlie Gregan, Max Gregan, Jazz Gregan Siblings Susanne Gregan, Tendai Gregan Similar People Stephen Larkham, John Eales, David Campese, Jonah Lomu | ||
Parents John Gregan, Jenny Gregan | ||
George Cregan (December 11, 1885 – June 30, 1969) was a commander in the United States Navy. 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.
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Cregan served in the US Navy for 40 years, serving on board over 30 different vessels.
He died June 30, 1969, and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia. His grave can be found in section 46, lot 1066.
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.