Vice Adm. Doug Crowder is a 1974 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy. In 1980 he was selected as an Olmsted Scholar and studied European Political and Economic Affairs at the University of Lausanne, Switzerland.

His sea duty assignments include USS Ramsey (DEG-2) as CIC officer, USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63) as the After Propulsion Group officer, USS Stump (DD-978) as combat systems officer, and USS Yorktown (CG-48) as executive officer. Subsequently, he commanded USS Kidd (DDG-993), Destroyer Squadron 32 and Destroyer Squadron 24.

Ashore, Crowder served 10 different assignments in the Pentagon including duty on the Joint Staff, Secretary of the Navy’s staff, and seven tours on the Chief of Naval Operations’ staff, most in the politico-military and strategic planning arena. Uniquely, he served as both the deputy executive assistant to VCNO (1990-91) and later as executive assistant to VCNO (2000-01). He also served as executive assistant to the Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet.

As a flag officer, Crowder served as director, Current Operations and Political Military Affairs (OPNAV N31/52) 2001-2002. He was then assigned as director, Deep Blue, the Navy’s warfighting innovation staff 2002-2004. In July 2004 he reported as commander, Carrier Strike Group Nine, commander Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group. During the strike group’s deployment, he commanded U.S. forces during the humanitarian relief operation in Indonesia in the aftermath of the December 2004 super tsunami.

Crowder was then reassigned back to OPNAV as assistant deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Operations, Plans and Strategy (N3/N5), taking a leadership role in Navy’s relief efforts after of Hurricane Katrina in the gulf coast in August 2005.

In September 2006, Crowder was promoted to Vice Admiral and assigned as commander, U.S. Seventh Fleet, commanding all U.S. Navy forces throughout Asia and the Western Pacific. His final assignment was as deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Operations, Plans and Strategy (N3/N5), the senior advisor to the Chief of Naval Operations on joint operations and strategies, strategic planning, international politico-military matters, and security assistance. He retired from the Navy January 1, 2010.

Crowder’s personal awards include the Navy Distinguished Service Medal (three awards), the Defense Superior Service Medal (two awards), and the Legion of Merit Medal (five awards). Additionally, he was awarded the Order of the National Security Guksen Medal by the President of the Republic of Korea and the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Medal by the Emperor of Japan.

Last Updated: 11 March 2022