Earl E. Stone

Earl Everett Stone
RAdm Stone during the Cold War Era.
Born	December 2, 1895 Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Died	September 24, 1989 (aged 93)
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Navy
Years of service	1917-1958
Rank	Rear Admiral
Commands held	Armed Forces Security Agency USS Wisconsin
Battles/wars	World War I World War II Korean War
Awards	Legion of Merit (3) Navy Commendation Medal

Earl Everett Stone (December 2, 1895 - September 24, 1989) was a Rear Admiral in the United States Navy. He is most noted for being the first director of Armed Forces Security Agency, the predecessor to the National Security Agency.

Early Life and Career

Earl Everett Stone was born on December 2, 1895 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Stone attended the United States Naval Academy and graduated on June 29, 1917.^[1] He was also commissioned an Ensign on that date. He served also with the U.S. Navy during World War I.

From March 1919 until June 1923, Stone served as aide and radio officer on the staff of Commander Base Force, Pacific Fleet. In June 1925, Stone attended the Naval Postgraduate School and earned his Master of Science degree in Communications engineering.

Later, Stone would be sailing aboard the USS Ohio (BB-12) when it and two other dreadnoughts became the first to sail through the Panama Canal.^[2] During World War I, he served aboard the USS Cleveland (C-19).

World War II

Stone was serving as the Executive Officer of the USS California (BB-44) on December 7, 1941 when it was sunk during the attack on Pearl Harbor. The vessel would later be raised and salvaged would play an active role in World War II. Stone was promoted and transferred to become the first Commanding Officer of the USS Wisconsin (BB-64). He would remain in the capacity until 1945, at which time he was succeeded by John W. Roper.

Following the war, Stone would be named Chief of Naval Communications and Commandant of the Naval Postgraduate School before retiring in 1957. He died in 1989.

Awards he received include the Legion of Merit with award star.

Decorations

Here is the ribbon bar of Rear Admiral Earl E. Stone:

1st Row	Legion of Merit with two Gold Stars and "V" Device				Navy Commendation Medal
2nd Row	World War I Victory Medal with Escort clasp			American Defense Service Medal with Fleet Clasp			American Campaign Medal
3rd Row	Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with silver service star			World War II Victory Medal			National Defense Service Medal
4th Row	Korean Service Medal with two Service stars			United Nations Korea Medal			Philippine Liberation Medal with two bronze stars

References

1. "Commanding Officers". USS Wisconsin (BB-64) Association. Retrieved 2011-05-21.
2. "Earl E. Stone; Retired Rear Admiral". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2011-05-21.