Earl E. Stone

Earl Everett Stone
RAdm Stone during the Cold War Era.
Born	(1895-12-02)December 2, 1895 Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Died	September 24, 1989(1989-09-24) (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.

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. 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. During World War I, he served aboard the USS Cleveland (C-19).

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.