Orson Leon Crandall
Chief, United States Navy
Born on February 2, 1903, he earned the while serving as Chief Boatswain's Mate during the salvage
of the USS Squalus on May 23, 1939.
He died on May 10, 1960 and was buried in Section
48 of Arlington National Cemetery.
Orson Leon Crandall was born on 2 February 1903 at St. Joseph, Missouri. He enlisted in the Navy in June 1922, serving in several ships over the next decade. Trained as a diver in 1932-33 and designated a Master Diver in March 1939, he was serving in USS Falcon (ASR-2) when she supported the rescue and salvage effort on the sunken submarine Squalus (SS-192) in May-September 1939. Chief Boatswain's Mate Crandall was awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism as Master Diver during that operation.
During World War II, Crandall became a commissioned
officer and served in a variety of salvage and diving-related positions.
He transferred to the Fleet Reserve in June 1946 and retired in December
1952. Lieutenant Orson L. Crandall died in May
1960.
USS Crandall (YHLC-2), 1967-1993, was named
in honor of Lieutenant Crandall.
Photos
Courtesy of the Home of Heroes
CRANDALL, ORSON L.
Rank and organization: Chief Boatswain's Mate, U.S. Navy. Place and date: At sea following sinking of U.S.S. Squalus, 13 May 1939. Born: 2 February 1903, St. Joseph, Missouri. Entered service at: Connecticut.
Citation:
For extraordinary heroism in the line of his
profession as a master diver throughout the rescue and salvage operations
following the sinking of the U.S.S. Squalus on 23 May 1939. His leadership
and devotion to duty in directing diving operations and in making important
and difficult dives
under the most hazardous conditions characterize
conduct far above and beyond the ordinary call of duty.
CRANDALL, ORSON LEON
LT US NAVY
WORLD WAR II
DATE OF BIRTH: 02/02/1903
DATE OF DEATH: 05/10/1960
BURIED AT: SECTION 48 SITE 2004
ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY
Photo courtesy of Raymond L. Collins
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Updated: 24 September 2000 Updated: 31 January 2001 Updated: 3 May 2001 Updated: 15 March 2003
