GORDON CRESSWELL

Major General 'Gordon M. Cresswell', USMC (played by David Andrews) was the last Judge Advocate General of the United States Navy on the fictional television series JAG. Major General Gordon Cresswell succeeded Rear Admiral A.J. Chegwidden upon his retirement in 2005.

Contents

Career

Family

Awards and Decorations

Career

Like his predecessor, Major General Gordon Cresswell is also a graduate from the United States Naval Academy. Prior to his current assignment, he was the Staff Judge Advocate for the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Prior to that, he served as the SJA in Iraq, where he was wounded and cited for saving a general's life. His injuries brought him to the Walter Reed Medical Center, where he met President George W. Bush. When Admiral Chegwidden announced his retirement, Cresswell (then a Colonel) was the administration's choice for the post.
A board of Naval and Marine officers selected Cresswell for the post, but allegations of impropriety prompted a full hearing by the Senate Armed Services Committee. Committee members grilled Cresswell on a variety of topics including torture, presidential power, and the legality of the war in Iraq. Though his confirmation was doubtful, Cresswell ultimately won confirmation and a promotion to Major General.
General Cresswell's assumption of command at JAG headquarters did not go without pain. He displaced the acting JAG, Commander Sturgis Turner, who was well liked by many of the office staff including Lieutenant Colonel Sarah MacKenzie and Commander Harmon Rabb. Added to that, Cresswell and MacKenzie were once acquainted while assigned in Okinawa. Cresswell, then the Staff Judge Advocate in Okinawa reprimanded the man with whom MacKenzie was having an affair. Though MacKenzie assumed her rapid transfer spared her Cresswell's wrath, she later discovered Cresswell harbored no animosity toward her, since she was the junior officer involved.

Family

General Cresswell is married. His wife's name is Dora. He also has a daughter named Cammie, who currently attends the United States Naval Academy. Cammie is currently dating Mikey Roberts, Lieutenant Commander Bud Roberts's kid brother, to great protest from virtually every man Mikey talks to serving under General Cresswell.

Awards and Decorations

In order of precedence:
Silver Star
Purple Heart
Meritorious Service Medal
Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal w/ 2 gold stars
Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal w/ gold star
Combat Action Ribbon
Navy and Marine Corps Presidential Unit Citation
Navy Unit Commendation
Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation w/ gold star
Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal
National Defense Service Medal w/ 2 gold stars
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Southwest Asia Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
Sea Service Deployment Ribbon
Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon
Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia)
Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)