User:Dover Historian/Sandbox:Herald Stout

Herald F. Stout (June 1, 1903 - March 23, 1987) was a Rear Admiral in the United States Navy. After graduating from the United States Naval Academy in June 1926, he ascended in rank until taking command of the USS Claxton in 1942. He served in the Pacific Campaign throughout World War II, and as commander of the Pacific Minesweeping Force during the Korean War. He is the namesake of the USS Stout (DDG-55), an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer.

Early Life
Herald Stout was born in Dover, Ohio on June 1, 1903 to Franklin Lee and Jemima Mae Tong Stout. After graduating as valedictorian of Roosevelt High School in Dover, he matriculated into the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland in 1922 as an appointment from the Ohio's 16th congressional district. In 1926, he graduated from the Academy, earning the rank of Ensign. He married Louise Frederica Finley, also of Dover, on the same day of his graduation.

Early Naval Career
Stout's first appointment was on board the USS Cincinnati, where he served until 1936. In June of 1931 he was a Lieutenant and was transferred to the USS Breckinridge for a year as a Torpedo and Communications officer. The following year he served as a Torpedo Officer and First Lieutenant aboard the USS Hatfield. In 1933, he returned to the Annapolis and enrolled at the Naval Postgraduate School. After a year there, he became an instructor at the Naval Academy in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Physics, a position he held for two years. He then served aboard the USS Elliot as the Executive Officer and Navigator for three years. In 1939, he again served as an instructor at the Naval Academy.

Not long after, he was given command of the USS Breese, a Wickes class destroyer serving as a light minelayer. Breese was a part of Mine Division 5 Battle Force. On November 2, 1939, she arrived at Puget Sound Navy Yard for Neutrality Patrol off the Oregon and Washington coasts. The next year, she made an inspection trip to Alaskan bases with Commander, Alaskan Sector, embarked. Upon returning, she rejoined her Division in San Francisco and prepared for a cruise to Hawaii, where she arrived December 10, 1940. Attached to Mine Division 2, Minecraft, Battle Force, Pacific Fleet, through the succeeding year she took part in training exercises in the operating area and on the Maui range.

World War II
Breese was stationed at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. She emerged unscathed from the Attack on Pearl Harbor and was credited with shooting down one Japanese bomber. After the initial assault, Breese participated in an engagement against a midget submarine. Nine months later, Stout was appointed to the command of the USS Claxton. Claxton's first assignment was on patrol in Casco Bay, Maine, preparing for an engagement against the German battleship Tirpitz, which was acting as a fleet in being in Norway. On May 17, the Claxton joined the Pacific Fleet.

After the Navy
Stout passed away on March 23, 1987 in San Diego County, California at the age of 83.

Personal Life
Stout was married to Louisa Finley on June 3, 1926, the day of his graduation from the Naval Academy. He had three children with her: Herald F. Stout, Jr., Bruce Stout, and Peter Stout. All would serve as officers in the United States Armed Forces. After Louisa passed away, Herald married Zoe Anderson on July 26, 1976. Stout was a member of the Freemasons and of the United Church of Christ.

Navy Cross
Citation:


 * For extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the Destroyer U.S.S. CLAXTON (DD-571), during an engagement with Japanese naval forces at Empress Augusta Bay, off Bougainville, Solomon Islands, on the night of 1 - 2 November 1943. With his Task Force engaging a Japanese surface force of superior fire power, Commander Stout hurled the full fighting strength of his ship against the enemy and, by his inspiring leadership and skilled combat tactics, aided his Task Force in sinking five hostile warships, in damaging four others and in completely routing the enemy, thereby contributing materially to the successful establishment of our beachhead on Bougainville Island. His determination, relentless fighting spirit and gallant devotion to duty upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Gold Star in lieu of second Navy Cross
Citation:


 * For extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the Destroyer U.S.S. CLAXTON (DD-571), during the bombardment of Buka airfield with a small Task Force, on the night of 16 - 17 November 1943. During this period the squadron destroyed one Japanese submarine, shot down five enemy planes, thwarted three torpedo plane attacks in enemy controlled waters and bombarded Buka airfield without loss or damage. In order that the guns of his ship might be close enough to their objective to inflict maximum destruction of enemy installations, Commander Stout, coolly, fearlessly and with expert seamanship maneuvered his vessel extremely close to dangerous reefs. The fire of his guns was directed with telling accuracy and contributed greatly to the destruction of enemy installations. His gallant fighting spirit, remarkable courage and valiant determination served as an inspiration to the crew of the ship. His conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Citation:


 * For exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States while serving as Commander Mine Squadron THREE and Commander Blockading and Escort Minesweeping Group (Task Group NINETY-FIVE POINT SIX), during operations against enemy aggressor forces in Korea from 18 February 1952 to 12 February 1953. Displaying outstanding initiative, resourcefulness and ingenuity in directing the minesweeping operations of his group, Captain Stout utilized the forces at his disposal with maximum effectiveness in sweeping approach channels for amphibious landings and naval gun strikes, island defense areas and harbors of ports under siege by naval units while providing effective patrols to safeguard swept areas. A capable and inspiring leader, he was eminently successful in maintaining and disseminating mine intelligence, in rendering search and rescue assistance for downed aviators, in conducting salvage operations and in furthering the training and operation of the Republic of Korea naval minesweeping force. Exhibiting exceptional versatility in deploying his group to assist in the blockade of North Korea, Captain Stout skillfully directed his units in capturing prisoners, in destroying or damaging enemy sampans and in interdicting trains along the east coast railroad carrying vital supplies to hostile forces opposing the United States Eighth Army. By his superb professional ability, marked courage in the face of enemy fire and unswerving devotion to the fulfillment of his mission, he contributed immeasurably to the success of naval operations in the Korean Theater. His distinguished service throughout this period reflects the highest credit upon Captain Stout and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Silver Star Medal
Citation:


 * For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action as Commanding Officer of the Destroyer U.S.S. CLAXTON (DD-571), during the initial bombardment of Buka and Bonis airfields and Shortlands Islands, Bougainville, against enemy opposition on the night of 31 October - 1 November 1943. During this period Commander Stout's ship was subjected to enemy bombing attacks as well as heavy gun fire from shore batteries. Commander Stout, with proficient skill and superb seamanship unhesitatingly maneuvered his vessel along an inadequately charted coast and conducted an aggressive attack with devastating gunfire and materially contributed to the destruction of enemy installations ashore. His conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Gold Star in lieu of second Silver Star Medal
Citation:


 * For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action as Commanding Officer of the Destroyer Division TEN (DesDiv 10), in action against enemy Japanese forces in Ormoc Bay, Leyte, Philippine Islands, 7 December 1944. Skillfully directing the ships of his command participating in the shore bombardment and fire support of our troops, screening activities, and fighter director duties, Captain Stout contributed materially to the success of our landing forces as well as to the protection of our Naval units in the assault area. Maintaining the anti-aircraft defense of his ships, he was largely responsible for the destruction of fourteen hostile planes during the repulse of an intense enemy air attack. His courage and devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Captain Stout and the United States Naval Service.

Presidential Unit Citation to Destroyer Squadron 23
Citation:


 * For extraordinary heroism in action against enemy Japanese forces during the Solomon Islands Campaign, from 1 November 1943 to February 23, 1944... Destroyer Squadron Twenty-three operated in daring defiance of repeated attacks by hostile air groups, closing the enemy's strongly fortified shores to carry out sustained bombardments against Japanese coastal defenses and render effective cover and fire support for the major invasion operations in this area ... The brilliant and heroic record achieved by Destroyer Squadron Twenty-three is a distinctive tribute to the valiant fighting spirit of the individual units in this indomitable combat group of each skilled and courageous ship's company...

Others
In addition to the others, Rear Admiral Stout also earned the China Service Medal, the American Defense Service Medal, the American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, the Navy Occupation Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korea Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation, the the Philippine Liberation Ribbon, the United Nations Service Medal for Korea, the Republic of Korea War Service Medal, the Second Nicaraguan Campaign Medal, and the Yangtze Service Medal.

Publications

 * 1) The Staudt-Stoudt-Stout family of Ohio: and their ancestors at home and abroad (1935)
 * 2) Stout and allied families: Volume 1  (1951)
 * 3) The Clan Finley: Volume 1  (1957)
 * 4) Tong-Tongue and allied families (1974)
 * 5) Stout and allied families: Volume 2  (1988)