One of the distinguished and only group of five brothers to graduate from the U S Naval Academy, Richard Gunter "Dick" Crommelin (b. January 8, 1917) was a member of the Class of 1938. He was designated a Naval Aviator after flight training at Pensacola and had a highly decorated career in naval aviation. As a LTJG in his first squadron in the air group of USS Yorktown (CV-5 he was credited with shooting down two of six Japanese Zero fighter planes during the May 1942 Battle of the Coral Sea. He was shot down and "ditched" in the ocean. As did his oldest brother John, he fought in the Battle of Midway, defending Yorktown (CV-5) against Japanese air attack, although she was lost three days later. He was awarded the Navy Cross with gold star in lieu of a second award for extraordinary heroism in both crucial battles. Later in the war, he was promoted to LCDR and assigned to command Fighter Squadron 88 (VF-88) embarked in the second USS Yorktown (CV-10). Richard was killed in a mid-air collision with another American aircraft on July 14,1945 operating in the vicinity of the Caroline Islands. Posthumously, he was awarded the Legion of Merit and Distinguished Flying Cross in recognition of his combat record.
Four of the five Crommelins were renowned as Naval Aviators; the fifth, a surface warfare officer was the only one to attain flag rank. A Perry class guided missile frigate, USS Crommelin (FFG-37), was named in their honor.
One of the distinguished and only group of five brothers to graduate from the U S Naval Academy, Richard Gunter "Dick" Crommelin (b. January 8, 1917) was a member of the Class of 1938. He was designated a Naval Aviator after flight training at Pensacola and had a highly decorated career in naval aviation. As a LTJG in his first squadron in the air group of USS Yorktown (CV-5 he was credited with shooting down two of six Japanese Zero fighter planes during the May 1942 Battle of the Coral Sea. He was shot down and "ditched" in the ocean. As did his oldest brother John, he fought in the Battle of Midway, defending Yorktown (CV-5) against Japanese air attack, although she was lost three days later. He was awarded the Navy Cross with gold star in lieu of a second award for extraordinary heroism in both crucial battles. Later in the war, he was promoted to LCDR and assigned to command Fighter Squadron 88 (VF-88) embarked in the second USS Yorktown (CV-10). Richard was killed in a mid-air collision with another American aircraft on July 14,1945 operating in the vicinity of the Caroline Islands. Posthumously, he was awarded the Legion of Merit and Distinguished Flying Cross in recognition of his combat record.
Four of the five Crommelins were renowned as Naval Aviators; the fifth, a surface warfare officer was the only one to attain flag rank. A Perry class guided missile frigate, USS Crommelin (FFG-37), was named in their honor.
Gravesite Details
Entered the service from Alabama.
Family Members
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Elizabeth Dandridge Crommelin Gunster
1901–1970
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Adm John Geraerdt Crommelin III
1902–1996
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VADM Henry Claiborne Crommelin Sr
1904–1971
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Katharine Crommelin Jenkins
1906–1991
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Cdr Charles Laurence de Berniere Crommelin
1909–1945
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Lucie van Tuyl Crommelin Leak
1912–1994
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Capt Quentin Claiborne van Wickervoort Crommelin
1918–1997
Other Records
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