Quick Facts
Biography
Mark Hanna Crouter (1897–1942) was a United States Navy officer who received the Navy Cross posthumously for his actions in combat during World War II.
Naval career
Crouter was born on October 3, 1897 in Baker, Oregon. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy on June 7, 1919. After extensive service at sea and ashore, he served as first engineering officer in aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CV-6), and from May 11, 1942 was executive officer in heavy cruiser USS San Francisco (CA-38).
Navy Cross in Guadalcanal Waters
In the night Naval Battle of Guadalcanal of November 12 and November 13, 1942, when an outnumbered American force turned a Japanese raiding group back from its intended attack on shipping off Guadalcanal, Commander Crouter was severely wounded early in the action, but insisted on remaining at his station to play his part in fighting the ship until killed.
Crouter's courageous devotion to duty was recognized with a posthumous award of the Navy Cross.
Commemoration
The U.S. Navy destroyer escort USS Crouter (DE-11), in commission from 1943 to 1945, was named for Commander Crouter.