Many Colleton River residents have honorably served in multiple branches of the U.S.

Military. We are humbled to share the history of our family’s service, spanning the 18th

century to present day.

Roy’s family roots began in Annapolis circa 1703 with the birth of Lizzy King, the future

wife and great-grandmother of the Cranford’s, who fought in the American Revolution,

and then future generations who served in the War of 1812 and on both sides during the

Civil War.

Julie’s family, the Wilson’s in Virginia, and the Rice family of Gettysburg Pennsylvania,

fought in the American Revolution and during the Civil War; with the Wilsons in Lees

Army of Northern Virginia and the Rice’s in Meade’s Army of the Potomac. Interestingly,

Julie’s Mom, Nancy, was determined to join the Daughters of the American Revolution,

but because of some of the family’s Quaker roots, she was unable to do so.

Roy’s Grandfather, Sgt. Roy Cranford, deployed to Mexico in 1916-17 as part of “The

1914-17 Punitive Expedition. Their mission was to capture “Conventionista” Pancho

Villa, a revolutionary figure fighting for social reforms. Then in 1917-18 Sgt. Cranford deployed to France with the American Expeditionary Forces and fought at Belleau Wood. We still have his

Gas Mask, now over 108 years old.

Roy’s Maternal Grandfather, Marty Ristaino, was an Army Sgt. during WWII, and

because of his Electrical Engineering background he was assigned to the Manhattan

Project in Oak Ridge Tennessee. Roy’s Grandmother and Mother stayed in Annapolis

while Marty served in TN.

Roy’s Dad, Corporal Jim Cranford, joined the Marines in early 1945 with Boot Camp at

Paris Island. He then deployed to the Pacific mid-1945 through 1946 on the Carrier USS

Wasp CV-18 as an ammunition’s loader for the fighter and dive bomber crews. Jim

crossed over to the Navy Reserves until 1954.

Julie’s Dad, David Wilson played basketball and baseball at West Virginia University

and played Center on the 1942 NIT Basketball National Championship team. He

graduated in 1946 and was drafted by the Boston Red Sox, but the Military Draft was

still in force. So, he volunteered for the Army, went through Officers Candidate School

and was commissioned as a 2nd LT serving in the late 1940’s for three years. Notably,

Dave played on the Army Basketball Team.

In 1974, Roy raised his right hand and took the Oath of Office at the US Naval Academy

with the Class of 1978. Roy’s Class boasts the most Flag Officers (31) of any Academy Class and ties the class of 1905 with 4 Four-Star Admirals. Roy spent 6 years on active

duty with this last assignment in 1982-84, teaching at the Academy and where he met

Julie who was working in Washington DC. From 1985-1995 Roy served in the Naval

Reserves in the Mobile Inshore-Undersea Warfare Community and for his last 3 years

at the Pentagon, retiring as a Commander. Notably, Colleton River boasts four other

Naval Academy Grads; Bill Spadafora ’66, Chad King ’73, John Hynes ’82, and Bill

Gilroy ’98.

Julie and Roy have raised three Sons; Andrew with Wife Katie and their 3 young

children in Raleigh, Adam and Wife Sarah with a newborn son in Richmond and

youngest son Wil. Wil is the latest in the family with military roots, joining the Navy in

2010 as a requirement to attend the Naval Academy’s Prep School in Newport R.I. and

as a precursor to attending the Academy, graduating in 2015. Wil completed his military

service in 2022, lives in Baltimore and has been dating his girlfriend Olivia for 2 years.

With Veterans Day on 11/11, we are blessed to live in the Greatest Country in the World,

and our Military has been a major catalyst for the freedoms we all enjoy. We thank all

Colleton River Veterans for their service, their sacrifices made during long-term

deployments, missed births and birthdays, holiday celebrations, and other family

milestones. We are all indebted for what you have done for our Country.