Vice Admiral Richard Farnum Stout, A Sailor's Story
Vice Admiral Richard Farnum Stout, A Sailor's Story
Vice Admiral Richard Farnum Stout was born on September 26, 1902, to Charles and Frances (née Farnum) Stout and was raised in Trenton, New Jersey. He entered the United States Naval Academy and graduated in 1924, beginning a naval career that spanned more than three decades and included service in two major wars.
During his years at the Naval Academy, Stout was remembered for both his discipline and his personality. He was known for keeping his locker well-stocked with snacks and for his fondness for cigars, small human details that followed him throughout a career otherwise defined by professionalism and command responsibility.
Stout later married Virginia Hollinger, an accomplished artist who went on to illustrate Portraits of a China Scroll.
At the outbreak of World War II, Stout was serving at sea. During the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, he demonstrated decisive leadership. In his action report following the attack, Stout recorded his assessment that disciplined, continuous return fire by shipboard crews could withstand aerial assault, an observation grounded in experience rather than theory.
During World War II, Vice Admiral Stout commanded the USS Hull, escorting supply and reinforcement convoys to the Solomon Islands under constant threat of enemy attack. For his gallant leadership in protecting vital logistics operations in the Pacific Theater, he was awarded the Silver Star.
Stout continued his service into the Korean War, where he commanded the USS Toledo. In this role, he directed naval gunfire support during operations at P’ohang and played a key role in the amphibious assault at Inchon, one of the most decisive operations of the conflict. For his exceptionally meritorious conduct and combat leadership, he was awarded the Legion of Merit.
Vice Admiral Richard Farnum Stout retired from the United States Navy on June 30, 1959, concluding a career marked by steady advancement, combat command, and sustained operational leadership. He died on November 6, 1982.
Vice Admiral Stout is remembered as a career naval officer whose service spanned eras, from battleship-era fleet operations to modern naval warfare, and whose leadership under fire directly contributed to Allied success in both World War II and the Korean War.
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a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller traveling through life
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