LCDR Marcus D. Cranford

EXECUTIVE OFFICER, USS ASHLAND (LSD 48)

08 March 2024 LCDR Marcus D. Cranford is the Executive Officer of USS ASHLAND (LSD 48).  He hails from Magnolia, Texas. He received his commission in 2009 from Prairie View A&M University’s NROTC program in Prairie View, Texas.  He holds a bachelor’s degree in business management, as well as a master’s degree in operational studies from the United States Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.   

LCDR Cranford has served at sea as staff operations officer (N3) at Commander, Amphibious Squadron 3 embarked aboard USS TRIPOLI (LHA 7) and USS MAKIN ISLAND (LHD 8); as operations officer, USS SOMERSET (LPD 25); as operations officer, USS PEARL HARBOR (LSD 52); as assistant damage control assistant, USS PELELIU (LHA 5); and communications officer, force protection officer, and operations officer, USS AVENGER (MCM 1).

Ashore, he served as operations and force protection officer at Commander, Mine Countermeasures Squadron 7 in Sasebo, Japan.

He has been awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (five awards) and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, as well as various unit and campaign awards.