Richard H. Cruzen

Richard Harold Cruzen (April 28, 1897 – April 15, 1970) was a decorated United States Navy officer with the rank of Vice Admiral. A veteran of both World Wars, he is best known for his participation and leadership in Antarctic expeditions.

Early life Cruzen was born on April 28, 1897, in Kansas City, Missouri. After graduation from Gallatin High School in Gallatin, Missouri, he attended the Virginia Military Institute and the Severn School in Severna Park, Maryland. He was appointed to the United States Naval Academy in 1916. Cruzen was selected for promotion to rear admiral in November 1946 with his date of rank retroactive to 1944.

Operation Highjump In 1946, Admiral Richard E. Byrd was selected as officer in charge of the Navy's Antarctic Developments Project, also known as Operation Highjump. Cruzen was chosen to commanded Task Force 68, which constituted the vast majority of the resources assigned to the operation. Task Force 68 consisted of 4,700 personnel, a command ship, an aircraft carrier, two destroyers, two icebreakers, two seaplane tenders, two supply ships, two tankers and a submarine. This was by far the largest Antarctic expedition up to that time and, possibly, the largest in history.

Cruzen departed the United States on board his flagship, the USS Mount Olympus, on December 2, 1946. Personnel assigned to the expedition included meteorologists, zoologists, physicists, and experts from oceanographic institutes. Besides gathering scientific data, another goal of the expedition was to train Navy personnel and to test Navy ships and other equipment in cold weather and ice operations. His wife was interred beside him on December 12, 1983.

Awards

Dates of rank Midshipman - June 16, 1916 Ensign - June 7, 1919 Lieutenant (junior grade) - June 7, 1922 Lieutenant - June 7, 1925 Lieutenant Commander - October 1, 1935 Commander - April 1, 1941 Captain - June 20, 1942 Rear Admiral - November 27, 1946 (Date of rank - April 1, 1944) Vice Admiral, Retired List - June 30, 1954