CAPT John P. Cromwell, Jr.
Passed Away Dec 17, 2016

CAPT John P. Cromwell, Jr.
XO 1960

Captain (USN) John Philip Cromwell, Jr., passed away on the evening of December 17, 2016 surrounded by his family in his home in Annapolis, MD. He was 88 years of age.

John Cromwell Jr., or Jack as he was commonly known, was born in San Diego, CA on July 22, 1928 to Captain John P. Cromwell Sr. and Mrs. Margaret Robertson Cromwell of Henry, Illinois. During his formative years, he and his sister Ann traveled with their parents to various duty stations and were in New London, Connecticut during the Great New England Hurricane of 1938, and then in Honolulu during the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941. After graduating from Palo Alto High School in California in 1946, Jack attended the US Naval Academy where he was nicknamed “Duke” by his classmates of the 21st Company.

Upon graduating with the class of 1951, his first assignment as an Ensign was aboard the USS Radford based in Honolulu. It was in Hawaii where he won the heart of Louanne Hoffheins. They were married on March 7th, 1953 at the Pearl Harbor Chapel and spent their honeymoon watching the erupting volcano while staying at the Kilauea Military Camp on the Island of Hawaii. Over the course of their 63 year marriage, they had the opportunity of calling many places their home, including Lanikai, Aiken, San Diego, Paris and Annapolis. His distinguished 30 year naval career included notable assignments as C.O. of the USS Meadowlark (1955), Naval Attache to France (1957), X.O. of the USS Lloyd Thomas (1960), U.S. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (1967), X.O. of the USS Ponchatoula (1968), C.O. USS Earnest G Small (1969), C.O. Naval Station Treasure Island, CA (1975), C.O. Naval Ammunition Depot Lualualei, HI (1977).

Jack is survived by his wife Louanne and children John Cromwell (wife Donna), Carolann Horton (husband George), Susan Earls (husband Dennis), Elizabeth Woznicki (husband Anthony), and James Cromwell (wife Cindy). His eight grandchildren are Margaret Horton Harr (husband Steve), Katherine Horton Noel (husband Stephen), Michael Horton, Christopher Eichstedt, Louanne Woznicki, Sara Woznicki, William Woznicki, James Cromwell Jr and two great grandchildren, Alexis and Mia Harr. He was predeceased by his sister Ann Brenner (Alan). He is remembered by his family and friends for being a true gentleman, having a warm smile and a quick wit. He was always glad to see old friends, drink martinis, and watch Navy football, win or lose. As a father and grandfather he provided guidance and wisdom on countless occasions, and he will be genuinely missed by all who knew him.

A memorial service will be held at the US Naval Academy in early spring. Donations in his name can be made to the US Naval Academy Foundation.