Gordon Cresswell

Gordon M. Cresswell
David Andrews as Major General Gordon Cresswell
First appearance	Whole New Ball Game (29/10/2004)
Last appearance	Fair Winds and Following Seas (29/04/2005)
Portrayed by	David Andrews
Information
Nickname(s)	Biff
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

1st Row	Silver Star	Purple Heart	Meritorious Service Medal	Navy & Marine Corps Commendation Medal w/ 2 award stars
2nd Row	Navy & 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.