Please answer the following question: Facts: - battles: world war ii - allegiance: united kingdom united kingdom - death date: 12 december 1999 - awards: 30px george cross - birth date: 14 april 1912 - unit: ss '' ocean voyager '' - name: george preston stronach - branch: 22px british merchant navy - birth place: portgordon , scotland - rank: captain -lrb- then chief officer -rrb- Based on these bullet points, write a short biography describing the life of george stronach .
Answer:
captain -lrb- then chief officer -rrb- george preston stronach gc -lrb- 14 april 1912 -- 12 december 1999 -rrb- of the merchant navy was awarded the george cross for the heroism he displayed in a rescue at sea in tripoli harbour on 19 march 1943 .notice of his award appeared in the london gazette on 23 november 1943 .