Capt. William H. Cracknell – Graduated 1949; Inducted 1986
After graduating from Alliance High School, Captain Cracknell earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Mount Union College in 1953 and a Bachelor of Science degree from Mount Union in 1954.
Captain Cracknell began his military service in 1949 when he enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve. In 1957 he was selected to attend Officer Candidate School and was subsequently commissioned as an Ensign. On July 5, 1958 he married the former Imogene “Jeanne” Tschabold from Minerva and they have two sons and two daughters.
Continuing his education, he was awarded a Master’s degree by Duke University in 1966. In 1967 and 1968 he attended the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, and the Defense Intelligence School in Washington D.C. in 1968 and 1969.
Captain Cracknell’s long and distinguished career includes teaching History and English at Alliance High School, serving as a Naval Intelligence Officer from 1958 to 1963 and assistant professor of Naval History at Duke University from 1963 to 1966. Following a tour in Vietnam as a Navy Projects officer, he served as Navy Liaison Officer for the Ministry of Defense in London, England.
From 1972 until 1982 he served with Naval Intelligence in Norfolk, Virginia and Washington D.C., serving as Executive Officer of Naval Intelligence Support Group from 1980 to 1982. Captain Cracknell returned to England in 1982 and until 1985 was Chief of Military Defense Intelligence Liaison in London. Since 1985, he has been Deputy Commander Naval Intelligence Command in Suitland, Maryland.
Captain Cracknell is a member of Kappa Delta Education Honorary Society, the U.S. Naval Institute, Royal United States Institute in London, England, the National Honor Society and National Thespians. In addition to being an AHS Distinguished Alum, Captain Cracknell was a 2010 recipient of the University of Mount Union’s Dodie Davis Alumni Service Award.
From 1972 until 1982 he served with Naval Intelligence in Norfolk, Virginia and Washington D.C., serving as Executive Officer of Naval Intelligence Support Group from 1980 to 1982. Captain Cracknell returned to England in 1982 and until 1985 was Chief of Military Defense Intelligence Liaison in London. Since 1985, he has been Deputy Commander Naval Intelligence Command in Suitland, Maryland.
Captain Cracknell is a member of Kappa Delta Education Honorary Society, the U.S. Naval Institute, Royal United States Institute in London, England, the National Honor Society and National Thespians. In addition to being an AHS Distinguished Alum, Captain Cracknell was a 2010 recipient of the University of Mount Union’s Dodie Davis Alumni Service Award.
His military decorations include the Bronze Star, the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Staff Air Medal, the Vietnamese Staff Honor Medal, the Navy Meritorious Service Medal, and he was honored as a Distinguished Graduate of the Naval War College.
Biographical update: Captain Cracknell retired in 1988 as the Commander of Naval Intelligence in Suitland, Maryland. In 2001 he and his spouse moved back to Alliance to be with friends and family. Four years later, Captain Cracknell passed away on October 28, 2005. His spouse, Jeanne passed away on April 2, 2010. They were both 74 years of age at their passing. They are buried together in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.
Captain William and Jeanne Cracknell are survived by four children: Bill Cracknell III of Woodbridge. Va.; Tacie (John) Fritz of Peachtree City, Georgia,; Beth (Pat) Hagen of East Glacier Park, Montana; and Stephen (Peggy) Cracknell of Woodbridge, Virginia; three grandsons and four granddaughters.
Biographical update: Captain Cracknell retired in 1988 as the Commander of Naval Intelligence in Suitland, Maryland. In 2001 he and his spouse moved back to Alliance to be with friends and family. Four years later, Captain Cracknell passed away on October 28, 2005. His spouse, Jeanne passed away on April 2, 2010. They were both 74 years of age at their passing. They are buried together in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.
Captain William and Jeanne Cracknell are survived by four children: Bill Cracknell III of Woodbridge. Va.; Tacie (John) Fritz of Peachtree City, Georgia,; Beth (Pat) Hagen of East Glacier Park, Montana; and Stephen (Peggy) Cracknell of Woodbridge, Virginia; three grandsons and four granddaughters.