Darse Crandall


Darse Earle Crandall Jr. is a retired United States Navy vice admiral who served as the 45th Judge Advocate General of the Navy from 2021 to 2024. He served as the Deputy Judge Advocate General of the Navy and Commander of the Naval Legal Service Command from 2018 to 2021.

Early life and education

Raised in Elgin, Illinois, Crandall earned a B.A. degree in economics from Northwestern University in 1984. He served aboard and USS Lockwood (FF-1064) before being selected for the Funded Legal Education Program. Crandall received his J.D. degree from the Georgetown University Law Center in 1992 and his LL.M. degree in international law from George Washington University in 1999.

Personal life

Crandall is the son of Darse Earle Crandall Sr., who was a Navy Supply Corps officer. His younger sister Amy Beth Crandall is married to fellow Navy admiral Frank D. Whitworth.
Crandall married Barbara A. Puckett on December 20, 1986 in Lucas County, Ohio.

Conspiracy theories

Crandall has been the subject of frequent QAnon-aligned conspiracy theories, generally published by the "Real Raw News" website, insinuating he is, in his role as Judge Advocate General, in charge of a secret military court trying and executing "Deep State" officials for supposed crimes.