CDR Fred D. Crayton

Past EXECUTIVE OFFICER, NAVAL BEACH UNIT (NBU) 7

16 December 2022 CDR Crayton is native of Ellington, Connecticut. He commissioned through the Seaman to Admiral program in 2004, earning a BA in English Liberal Arts from Norfolk State University.

His naval service began in 1994 as an enlisted Operations Specialist, completing tours on the USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43), USS Belleau Wood (LHA 3), and USS Essex (LHD 2) home ported in Sasebo, Japan. Upon commissioning, he was assigned to the USS Mahan (DDG 72) in Norfolk, Virginia where he completed a single long tour as Strike, Auxiliaries, and Legal Officer.

After a rewarding tour at sea, he worked as a Training Liaison Officer at Afloat Training Group, Norfolk, VA.  While there, he was selected for an Individual Augment to Iraq for over a year.  Down range, he served as the Chief of Operations and Deputy J3 for a Joint Special Operations Task Force.  In May 2011, he completed his Master’s in Public Administration from Old Dominion University.  Upon earning his Masters, he reported to USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81) as the Engineer Officer.  

After leading Engineering Department with exceptional results, he was hand-picked to be an Engineering Assessor at Engineering Assessments Atlantic (EAA), Norfolk, VA where he served as Senior Assessor and Project Officer for diesel and gas turbine platforms.  Following EAA, he screened for a one year Global War on Terrorism Assignment (GSA); there he served as an Officer in Charge (OIC) of a Joint Task Force support vessel which conducted Special Operations Force and Maritime Security Operations.  Remaining operational, he served as Executive Officer and Commanding Officer onboard USS Chief (MCM 14) forward deployed in Sasebo, Japan and as the Exeutive Officer onboard Guided Missile Destroyer, USS McFAUL (DDG-74) in Norfolk, Virginia. Currently, he is the XO of Naval Beach Unit SEVEN.

CDR Crayton’s personal awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Meritorious Service Medal,  Navy & Marine Corps Commendation Medal (five awards), Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Medal (four awards), Combat Action Ribbon, and various unit and campaign awards.