William P. Cronan

William Pigott Cronan (March 6, 1879 – March 18, 1929) was a United States Navy officer who achieved the rank of captain and held the position of the 19th Naval Governor of Guam. Born in New Haven, Connecticut, he was the son of Patrick J. Cronan and Ellen Theresa (Pigott) Cronan. His familial relations included notable relatives such as his uncle James P. Pigott, a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Connecticut, and another uncle, James T. Mullen, who served as the first Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus.

Cronan graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1898. During his early naval career, he served aboard USS Marblehead while still a cadet. After graduation, he participated in the Battle of Santiago de Cuba during the Spanish–American War aboard USS Brooklyn. He also served aboard USS Iowa as an ensign and later on USS Don Juan de Austria, departing that vessel in 1901.

In 1903, while serving aboard USS Marietta, Cronan was involved in a rescue operation off the coast of La Guaira, Venezuela, where he and eight enlisted men rescued a Venezuelan fisherman under hazardous conditions. This act received commendation from both the Venezuelan government and U.S. Navy superiors. He also served with the Judge Advocate General's Corps of the U.S. Navy at some point in his career.

In 1907, Cronan gained recognition following an incident aboard USS Connecticut during a target practice. Believing an explosion was imminent within the ship's gun breech, he intervened by placing his hand inside the breech to prevent a potential blast, resulting in the loss of two fingers of his right hand but averting an explosion.

In 1911, Cronan became the first commanding officer of USS Monaghan, a newly commissioned destroyer. During his command, the ship struck a naval pier at full speed and required several hours to free itself. In 1913, he assumed command of the Atlantic Fleet Torpedo Flotilla Fifth Fleet, serving as the commanding officer of the flagship USS Jouett.

During World War I, Cronan commanded USS Komingin der Nederlanden, a transport ship, for which he received the Navy Cross. He also captured the German Corvette Captain Adalbert Zuckschwerdt off the coast of Guam after the German officer exploded SMS Cormoran rather than permit her to be captured during the war. Following his military service, he retired as a captain on October 4, 1923.

Cronan served briefly as acting Naval Governor of Guam from April 29 to May 8, 1916, following the departure of Governor William John Maxwell until the arrival of Governor Roy Campbell Smith. Afterward, he continued his naval service in Guam as commander of USS Supply.

He was married to Nellie Grant, daughter of Jesse Root Grant and granddaughter of President Ulysses S. Grant, in 1913. They had two daughters, Nellie Grant Cronan, born in Tokyo, who later married U.S. Army Captain Franklin Gibney Rothwell in 1942, and Elizabeth Grant Cronan.

From 1923 until his death in 1929, Cronan resided in San Diego, California, in a house now designated as a historic site by the city. He is interred at Arlington National Cemetery.