Alexander Joseph Krekich

Background

Alexander Joseph Krekich was born on March 19, 1943, in Passaic, New Jersey, to Alexander and Helen (Vroblevski) Krekich. Passaic was an industrial city in the New York metropolitan region, a setting shaped by manufacturing, immigrant communities, and proximity to the nation's principal naval and commercial centers.

Krekich later made the United States Navy his profession. His naval career included service during the Vietnam era, command of surface combatants, senior staff assignments, and leadership of major Pacific Fleet formations.

Education

Krekich graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1964 with a Bachelor of Science in Naval Science. The Naval Academy, founded in 1845 at Annapolis, Maryland, is the principal undergraduate institution for officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps and combines academic education with professional naval preparation.

He received a Master of Science degree in computer systems from George Washington University in 1972. The university, established in Washington, D.C., in 1821, developed a strong connection with public service, government, and professional education. Krekich also graduated with honors from the United States Army Command and General Staff College and the United States Naval War College, institutions devoted to advanced military leadership, operational planning, and strategic studies.

Career

Krekich was commissioned an ensign in the United States Navy in 1964 and advanced through the officer ranks to vice admiral. His early sea duty included service as antisubmarine warfare officer aboard USS Warrington from 1964 to 1966. During the Vietnam War, he served with Coastal Division 12 and as an officer associated with fast patrol craft operations in the Da Nang area; he also served as engineer officer aboard USS Davis from 1968 to 1969.

He was executive officer of USS John King from 1973 to 1975 and commanded USS Ainsworth from 1978 to 1981. Ainsworth was a guided-missile frigate whose operations included training and fleet support. Krekich later commanded USS Belknap, a guided-missile cruiser and Sixth Fleet flagship, and held senior shore and fleet assignments.

From 1988 to 1990, Krekich served as chief of staff to Commander, Second Fleet. He then became executive assistant to the Vice Chief of Naval Operations on the Navy Headquarters Staff from 1990 to 1991, followed by service in the J-5 strategy and policy division of the Joint Staff from 1991 to 1993. These assignments placed him in the senior planning structure of the Navy and the joint Department of Defense establishment.

Krekich commanded Cruiser-Destroyer Group Two and the George Washington Battle Group during the 1990s. He was promoted to flag rank in 1992 and served as Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, from June 1996 to August 1998. The command coordinated the Pacific Fleet's surface forces, including cruisers, destroyers, frigates, amphibious formations, and associated operational units.

After retiring from the Navy, Krekich continued to participate in naval, defense, and civic affairs. He served as a military adviser and later as a director emeritus of the Anchor Scholarship Foundation, which supports higher education for families connected with the Surface Navy.

Achievements

• Krekich commanded major United States Navy surface formations, including Cruiser-Destroyer Group Two and the George Washington Battle Group, during the 1990s.

• He served as Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, from 1996 to 1998, directing the Pacific Fleet's principal surface forces.

• His naval career included combat-zone service in Vietnam, command of USS Ainsworth and USS Belknap, and senior assignments with the Second Fleet, the Navy Headquarters Staff, and the Joint Staff.

Works

• article

  • Smart Ship: The Future Is Here

    (An article by Krekich in Proceedings discussing the devel...)

    1998

Membership

Krekich was a member of the United States Naval Academy Alumni Association, the United States Naval Institute, and the National Geographic Society. The Naval Academy Alumni Association supports graduates and preserves connections among former midshipmen; the Naval Institute is a professional forum for discussion of naval affairs and publishes Proceedings; and the National Geographic Society promotes geographic knowledge and exploration.

• United States Naval Academy Alumni Association , United States

• United States Naval Institute , United States

• National Geographic Society , United States

Connections

Krekich married Barbara Lynn Schramm on June 30, 1968. They had two sons, Alexander Joseph Krekich Jr. and Andrew Jon Krekich. His parents were Alexander Krekich and Helen Vroblevski Krekich.

Father:

Alexander Krekich

Mother:

Helen Vroblevski Krekich

Wife:

Barbara Lynn Schramm

Son:

Alexander Joseph Krekich Jr.

Son:

Andrew Jon Krekich

References

• United States Senate Congressional Record Documents Krekich's nomination for appointment to the grade of vice admiral in the United States Navy.
  1995
• United States Naval Institute Proceedings Publishes Krekich's article on Smart Ship technology and identifies him as Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet.
  1998
• Naval History and Heritage Command, Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships Documents Krekich's assumption of command of USS Ainsworth in October 1978.
• Anchor Scholarship Foundation Identifies Vice Admiral Alexander Krekich as a director emeritus of the foundation.