HMC (EXW/SW) Daniel Douglass McCracken

Chief Petty Officer Daniel D McCracken passed away while on active duty with the US Navy May 6, 2024, he was 45 years old. Dan was attached to Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadron (MSRON) 8 and on Temporary Active Duty (TAD) orders to Naval Special Warfare Development Group, otherwise known as 'DEVGRU' or 'SEAL Team 6', which is a Counter Terrorism unit administered by US Naval Special Warfare Command. An elite within an elite, the unit is made up of SEALs selected from existing SEAL Teams. DEVGRU is considered a 'Tier One' special mission unit on a par with the Army's Delta Force. SEAL Team Six is under operational command of JSOC. He was on his second tour with DEVGRU, commencing  on October 31, 2023, where he served as Force Protection  Department Head and Anti Terrorism Officer Afloat.  

By rank, he was a Chief Hospital Corpsman (HMC).  When not on Active Duty Recall, he served as a Police Officer for the City of Chester.  He served 18 years as a Firefighter and EMT at Newtown Square Fire Department and was an Eagle Scout. 

Dan deeply loved his family and friends and would often show up unannounced to hang out, whether it be close by in Pennsylvania or New Jersey, or a surprise visit to Tennessee.  If someone was in need, Dan would frequently drop everything to lend a hand. Dan loved and cherished every opportunity he had to spend with his children, Ronin and Lily, and spoke of them often. Dan was a great Uncle and everyone looked forward to his humor, hugs, movie selection and playing air hockey.  Dedicated to his friends, he would often be found on his Harley going for long rides, or hanging on his back porch. He proudly offered to officiate weddings because he held his Ordination License.  He was a commanding presence that could light up a party, control a stressful situation, or break an awkward silence with wit and sarcasm. To know Dan was to love and respect him. He would rarely talk of his commendations, of which he has many, including being awarded a Flag Letter of Commendation, 5 times, Navy and Marine Corp Achievement Medal, twice, US Navy Reserve Good Conduct Medal, Good Conduct Medal, US Navy Volunteer Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with “M” device, a Presidential Unit Citation, and numerous other personal and unit decorations.

Dan is survived by his children, Ronin and Lily, his father David (Denise), mother Ginger, Sisters Jessica (Nate) and Sarah (Timothy) and brother Josh (Jess) as well as many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are invited to a visitation on Thursday, May 23, 2024 from 9 to 11am in Bethany Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 5 Concord Ave., Havertown, PA 19083. Service will begin in the church on Thursday at 11:30am. Dan will be inurned Saturday, May 25th, 2024 at 2:30pm in Washington Crossing National Cemetery, 830 Highland Rd., Newtown, PA 18940.

Services for Dan will be livestreamed to the church YouTube page at 11:30am on Thursday. Follow this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TqEdZre4gD0.

In lieu of flowers, please provide a donation to Tunnels To Towers Foundation (T2T.ORG)

Fair winds and following sea, may you rest in peace....