Gordon Cresswell

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Gordon M. Cresswell

David Andrews as Major General Gordon Cresswell
First appearance

Whole New Ball Game (10/29/2004)
Last appearance

Fair Winds and Following Seas (04/29/2005)
Portrayed by

David Andrews
Information
Nickname(s) Buzzsaw
Occupation Judge Advocate General of the United States Navy
Title Major General, USMC

Major General Gordon M. 'Biff' Cresswell, USMC (played by David Andrews) was the last Judge Advocate General of the United States Navy on the fictional television series JAG. Major General Gordon Cresswell succeeded Rear Admiral A.J. Chegwidden upon his retirement in 2005.

Career

Like his predecessor, General Cresswell is also a graduate from the United States Naval Academy. Prior to his current assignment, he was the Staff Judge Advocate for the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Prior to that, he served as the SJA in Iraq, where he was wounded and cited for saving a general's life. His injuries brought him to the Walter Reed Army Medical Center, where he met President George W. Bush. When Admiral Chegwidden announced his retirement, Cresswell, then a colonel, was the administration's choice for the post.

A board of Naval and Marine flag and general officers submitted Cresswell's name to the Secretary of Defense for the post, but allegations of impropriety prompted a full hearing by the Senate Armed Services Committee. Committee members grilled Cresswell on a variety of topics including torture, presidential power, and the legality of the war in Iraq. Though his confirmation was doubtful, Cresswell ultimately won confirmation and appointment to the grade of Major General. Cresswell's major argument during his hearing in front of the senate was that "the Law is blind. She is also an Independent. And she doesn't care if you get re-elected next year," and that the JAG position "shouldn't be political."

General Cresswell's assumption of command at JAG headquarters did not go without pain. He displaced the acting JAG, Commander Sturgis Turner, who was well liked by many of the office staff including Lieutenant Colonel Sarah MacKenzie and Commander Harmon Rabb. Added to that, Cresswell and MacKenzie were once acquainted while assigned in Okinawa. Cresswell, then the Staff Judge Advocate in Okinawa reprimanded the man with whom MacKenzie was having an affair. Though MacKenzie assumed her rapid transfer spared her Cresswell's wrath, she later discovered Cresswell harbored no animosity toward her, since she was the junior officer involved.

Attitude

Like Admiral Chegwidden, General Cresswell comes off as rather hard-nosed, and bound to his post, However, unlike his predecessor, Cresswell is unafraid of taking risks when needed. He also is noted for lending a helping hand to his staff, and will, to the utmost of his abilities, and position, defend his staff if he knows them to be in the right in what they are doing.

He is an evangellical Christian.

Family

General Cresswell is married. His wife's name is Dora. He also has a daughter named Cameron (nicknamed Cammie), who currently attends (as of the end of the series) the United States Naval Academy.

Awards and decorations

Gold star
Gold star
Gold star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
1st Row Silver Star Purple Heart Meritorious Service Medal Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal w/ 2 award stars
2nd Row Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal w/ 1 award star Combat Action Ribbon Navy Presidential Unit Citation Navy Unit Commendation w/ 1 service star
3rd Row Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation w/ 1 service star Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal National Defense Service Medal w/ 2 service stars Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
4th Row Southwest Asia Service Medal Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Humanitarian Service Medal
5th Row Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon Navy & Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia) Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)

He also has the Rifle Expert 2nd award, and Pistol Expert 2nd award.

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