Commander-in-Chief, Gold Fleet
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ADM W. Gordon Crowell [D'Maris Coffman]
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I. Personal Data
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Surname: CROWELL
Given Name(s): William Gordon (Gordon)
Current Rank: Admiral (O-10)
Current Billet: Commander-in-Chief, Gold Fleet (CINCGOLD)
Species: Homo sapiens sapiens (Terran Human)
Gender/Sex: Male/XY;
Age: 64 Terran Years
Date of Birth: 15 July 2346
Place of Birth: Charlottesville, VA. Terra, Sol III.
Parents: RADM Peter William Crowell, UFPSF (ret).
Mrs. Dorothy Sylvia Jennings Crowell
Siblings: Carolyn Elizabeth Crowell Elsing
CDR Walter Peter Crowell, UFPSF (KIA)
Spouse: Mrs. Susan Grace Elsing Crowell
Children: LCOL William Gordon Crowell, junior, UFPSFMC
LCDR Peter Andrew Crowell, UFPSF (KIA)
Religion: Unifed High Anglican (devout)
Physical Description:
HT: 6'4"; WT: 218 lbs; Eyes: Blue; Hr: Brown; Comp: Fair;
Cleft in chin.
Blood Type: ABk+
Vision: O: 0.00, S: 0.00 (20/20)
Languages: Native speaker of Terran Standard, American English; Fluent
in Modern French, Modern German, Klingon. Minimal Vulcan.
Citizenship: Terra, Sol III, United Federation of Planets
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II. Educational Background
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A. Academic Institutions Attended:
-- Hampton Roads Military Academy {Valedictorian}
-- Star Fleet Academy {Graduated *magna cum laude*}
(Bachelor of Arts, Diplomatic History/Biochemistry)
-- Star Fleet Staff & Command College
(Master of Arts, Strategic Studies)
B. Service Schools Attended:
-- Star Fleet Fighter Pilots School
-- Star Fleet Space Warfare Officers School
-- Star Fleet Staff & Command College
-- Flag Officers Orientation School
C. Qualifications (MOC's):
-- MOC: Fighter Pilot (XT-10A)
-- MOC: Navigation Officer
-- MOC: Operations Officer
-- CERT: Junior/Senior Officer Bridge Tests
-- CERT: Flag Officer Orientation School
D. Star Fleet Academy Record:
Academy Record:
Class Rank: 11/275; Honors: *Magna cum laude*; Academic Major:
Biochemistry/Diplomatic History; Professional Major: Navigation,
Ship systems; Qualifications: Navigation/Astrogation, Operations.
Commendations: 1; Reprimands: 0;
Commended for leading Nova Squadron to fourth consecutive title during his
stay at the Academy. Commanded the unit his final two years.
Activities: Nova Squadron, Cadre.
Atheletics: Varsity letters in lacrosse, polo and terran American football.
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III. Biographical Notes
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A. Chronology (tabular form):
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0-12: Lived with parents at family estates in Charlottesville, VA.
12-16: Attended Hampton Roads Military Academy. Hampton Roads, VA.
Graduated *summa cum laude*.
16: Received appointment to Star Fleet Academy.
20: Graduated from Star Fleet Academy.
24: Married Susan Grace Crowell (nee Elsing).
32: Birth of first child, William Gordon, jr (male).
34: Birth of second child, Peter Andrew (male).
60: Death of second child, Peter Andrew (2380-2406, KIA)
B. Background Summary:
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Admiral W.G. Crowell is as close to a traditional naval officer as
Star Fleet sees these days. Generations of Crowells have served both
Star Fleet and the wet navy of the United States, Terra, Sol III. In
keeping with the 'naval aristocracy' of the 19th and 20th century of
terran history, he is caucasian, Anglican (Episcopalian), affluent and
southern. An anachronism in many respects, Crowell is old school.
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IV. Official Starfleet Record
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A. Promotion History:
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660601.0000 Commissioned as Ensign (O-1).
670615.0000 Promoted to Lieutenant, junior grade (O-2)
670906.0000 Breveted to Lieutenant (O-3), assumed command of Gold
Squadron at Wolf 359, after LCDR Skip Trell was KIA.
680201.0000 Confirmed at Rank of Lieutenant (O-3).
741205.0000 Promoted to Lieutenant Commander (O-4)
790901.0000 Promoted to Commander (O-5).
850405.0000 Promoted to Captain (O-6).
010101.0000 Breveted to rank of Commodore (O-7).
060710.0000 Confirmed at rank of Commodore (O-7) upon completion of
Flag Officer Orientation School.
070401.0000 Promoted to rank of Rear Admiral (O-8).
071205.0000 Requested Retirement from active service.
071211.0000 Promoted to Vice Admiral (O-9) by CINCSF upon retirement;
confirmed by Federation Council.
071220.0000 Recalled to active service; reinstated at last rank, (O-9).
081030.0000 Promoted to Admiral (O-10) by Federation Council.
B. Service History:
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620615.0000 Entered Star Fleet Academy.
660601.0000 Graduated Star Fleet Academy.
660615..0000 Assigned to Star Fleet Fighter Pilots School.
660915.0000 Graduated FPS; assigned to Gold Squadron.
680601.0000 Assigned to Star Fleet Staff & Command College.
690601.0000 Graduated Star Fleet Staff & Command College.
690605.0000 Assigned to Space Warfare Officers School.
690905.0000 Graduated Space Warfare Officers School.
690915.0000 Posted Ship's Services, Operations DivO,
USS Lexington (NCC-1703-D, Galaxy-class CC)
710915.0000 Posted OPS, USS Hood (NCC-31100, Hood-class CL).
741205.0000 Posted OPS, USS Damascus (NCC-1347, Galaxy-class CC).
790901.0000 Posted XO, USS Saratoga (NCC-1724-D, Galaxy-class CC).
850405.0000 Posted CO, USS Bismarck (NCC-1870-C, Galaxy-class CC).
010101.0000 Assigned Head of the Klingon Exchange Program.
060710.0000 Posted Commander-in-Chief, Green Fleet (CINCGREEN).
071205.0000 Retired from Star Fleet.
071220.0000 Re-activated; reinstated as CINCGREEN.
080622.0000 Appointed acting Chief of Star Fleet Operations (CSFO).
081009.0000 Confirmed as Chief of Star Fleet Operations (CSFO).
090328.0000 Assumed acting Commander-in-Chief, Star Fleet (CINCSF).
090408.0000 Appointed Commander-in-Chief, Star Fleet (CINCSF) by
Federation Council.
100430.0000 Began extended (accumulated) leave.
110101.0000 Re-called from extended (accumulated) leave.
110101.0000 Appointed Commander-in-Chief, Gold Fleet (CINCGOLD).
(*) Ships listed as designated at time of service, not their current
classifications.
C. Medals and Commendations
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680201.0000 Awarded Star Fleet Cross (Golden Nebula Medal).
680201.0000 Awarded Wolf 359 Combat Action Ribbon (w/ Valor).
760101.0000 Awarded Outstanding Unit Citation (USS Damascus).
771113.0000 Awarded cluster to Star Fleet Cross (Golden Nebula Medal).
840505.0000 Awarded Silver Star.
891103.0000 Awarded Silver Star (2).
910202.0000 Awarded Oustanding Unit Citation (USS Bismarck).
970205.0000 Awarded Cross of Alexander.
031204.0000 Awarded Legion of Merit (Klingon Exchange Program).
091030.0000 Awarded Meritorious Service Medal.
100430.0000 Awarded Distinguished Service Medal.
(*) He also has the usual combat action ribbons, quadrant service ribbons,
etc. expected of an officer of his rank and experience.
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V. Skills Profile
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Proven administrator; effective strategician. Outstanding organizational
abilities; prefers to foster an implicit culture. Has high expectations
of himself and others. Unforgiving and somewhat judgemental, bordering
on occasional intolerance. Possesses considerable political acumen and
instinct. Diplomatic skills are impressive; but, often under-utilized.
Very much a career space warfare officer in outlook, with a highly
successful tenure in the admiralty.
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VI. Summary of Star Fleet Career
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Initially, as with many of his forefathers, Crowell served as a
fighter pilot after graduating near the top of his Academy class.
As captain of the Nova squadron for two years running, he was
widely regarded at the time as likely to follow in his father's (and
older brother's) footsteps. RADM Peter W. Crowell retired from Star
Fleet as one of the most heavily decorated fighter pilots of the early
24th century.
After Fighter Pilots School, Crowell joined his older brother's fighter
wing, which saw heavy combat action at Wolf 359. Crowell distinguished
himself in that engagement, which saw the death of his elder brother
(wing commander) and his squadron leader. Among the few shell-shocked
survivors of that massacre (many of whom left Star Fleet), he was awarded
a rare opportunity to attend Star Fleet Staff and Command College as
an O-3. At the time, it was not known whether or not he would ultimately
prove fit to return to space duty.
Upon graduation from Staff & Command, he obtained a transfer to the
Space Warfare Officer (SWO) program and attended SWO school. Insofar as
his fitness for line service was still under question, he was assigned
upon graduation as a ship's services division officer aboard the USS
Lexington, a Galaxy-class command cruiser, which he later parleyed into
OPS on the USS Hood. His early service history was thus very atypical
for a career SWO type, and many were still skeptical.
Refusing to look back, he went on in quick succession to OPS on the USS
Damascus, and XO of the USS Saratoga. Eventually, he obtained command
of the USS Bismarck, which he held for fifteen years. While heavily
decorated throughout, it seems apparent that as space warfare officer
Crowell felt he had something to prove--namely that the legacy of
Wolf 359 did not haunt him or his career.
At the beginning of his fifteen year command, things proved rocky.
Many suspected he was a far better executive officer than he would
prove a commanding officer. Moreover, it was unusual for an officer
to assume such a command without prior experience as CO of a light
or heavy cruiser. After the first couple years, he began to come
into his own. From there, the USS Bismarck and her TACRON earned
a reputation in the Romulan theater for vigilant and swift response
to incursionary activity. CAPT Crowell also established himself as a
capable diplomat; and did multiple stints as officer-in-tactical
command.
After a decade and a half, Crowell relinquished command and assumed
the helm of the Klingon Officer Exchange Program, with an essentially
honorary brevet to the rank of Commodore (O-7).
Some have suggested he smelled political trouble on the horizon and
disappeared into a neutral position. Certainly, walking the tightrope
of Klingon politics kept him out of the nightmare turnover within
the admiralty at home.
After his five year tour with the Klingon Empire, Crowell returned to a
confirmation of his field promotion and an offer of Commander-in-chief,
Green Fleet. Insofar as the fleet had been decimated by the Alpha
Flu virus, Green was rebuilt from the ground up, initially with only
one tactical squadron and a half dozen patrol squadrons assigned to
the coreword portion of the Cardassian Trucial Zone.
With two Caesar-class vessels and an Olympic-class flag, this fleet
served to assist Gold Fleet in protecting core Federation worlds
from external threats. Crowell also negotiated the leasing
of SB DELTA, a former Vulcan science station and saw to its overhaul.
With the reorganization of the fleets, he was promoted to Rear
Admiral--a rank commensurate with his current billet. Upon retirement
he was promoted to Vice Admiral. Ironically, less than ten days later
he was recalled to re-assume the offices of CINCGREEN. In the summer
of 2408, he was appointed to serve as acting Chief of Starfleet
Operations and was confirmed in October of that year. In April of
2409, he was appointed Commander-in-Chief, Star Fleet (CINCSF) by the
Federation Council, and served for the standard one year term.
The success of Green in 2406-2408 made the closure of Gold possible,
as a fleet presence in that region was deemed no longer necessary.
With renewed piracy and the emerging Fardon threat, as well as a
flare-up between the Gorns and Tholians, Gold was re-established
in January of 2411; Admiral Crowell returned from leave to assume
command of that fleet.
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VII. Psychological Profile
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As a highly decorated war hero, successful space warfare officer, and
long serving member of the admiralty, Admiral W. Gordon Crowell is a
man of influence and stature. His forty years of active duty service,
over three-quarters of it in the field, are exceeded by few.
One cannot underestimate the effect of his early years, particuarly
Wolf 359, in forming the metal and personality of this officer. While
most sympathized with the survivors of that engagement, few expected
them to make it back to line service. It was a very shaken and
shell-shocked young man who returned home in late 2367 to pick up his
life. It was doing the years immediately following Wolf 359 that he
met his wife of forty years.
While it is true that no one becomes a flag officer, much less an
influential one, unless he or she desires it, Crowell's drive set
him apart. Having to fight his way back to active service, he was
determined to remain in the field, dodging shore rotations with notable
success. Though Galaxy-class commands were often lengthy in those
days, his stint as CO of the USS Bismarck was more so than most.
When he left it for the Klingon Exchange Program, there was little
doubt he intended for himself a flag career--a goal which he has
clearly accomplished. His stints as CINCGREEN, CSFO and CINCSF
came rapidly on the heels of one another. This man is governed by
his religious convictions and a strong sense of destiny, believing
himself to the be the servant of better men (and a few women) than he.
On a personal level, he is by all accounts happily married to Susan Grace
Elsing Crowell, a southern heiress. In 2406, they were faced with the
death of their youngest son.
The subject expresses some regret that his service precluded more time
with his family, particularly during the childhoods of his two sons.
Though it was very much a personal decision on his part to prevent them
from joining him on the USS Saratoga and later the USS Bismarck, that
only contributes to the dilemna.
Crowell's younger son was an irresponsible wastrel during his late
teens, only to turn his own life around without his father's assistance.
Crowell's relationship with his elder son is also strained, though
apparently has improved in recent years after the younger (also a
fighter pilot and squadron leader) was killed in action against
the Borg during their incursions into Romulan Space.
His principal and only real hobby is horse polo. The Crowell farms are
renowned for their polo ponies and Chesapeake Bay Retrievers. When he
retires, no doubt he will return to Charlottesville and entertain these
pursuits.
In summary, Gordon. Crowell is an imposing man with family connections
and a strong service record to match his arrogance. A heavily decorated
hero of Wolf 359, his career has been defined by decades' long service
in the field. A charming host, loyal officer, and devout Anglican, his
sense of 'noblesse oblige' is a very genuine reflection of his
convictions.
-- CAPT Katherine Herti, M.D, Star Fleet Counseling Corps.
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VIII. Current Recreational Interests
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Horse Polo, breeding Chesapeake Bay Retrievers and American Quarterhorses.
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