LT ELTON B. STIRLING, USN

Class 1942

Born February 21, 1919

Died October 25, 1944

Age 25

Hometown Pasadena, California

Lucky Bag Yearbook

From the 1942 Lucky Bag:

ELTON BERNARD STIRLING

Silver

Soccer 4, 3, 2, aNf; Battalion Track; Stars 4, 3; C.P.O.

Silver sacrificed more than the average boy, when he offered his services to his country—he left sunny California! After spending several years at Caltech, academics came easily to Elton; consequently, his time was divided between helping his classmates and engaging in athletics. Possessing a pleasing, even-natured personality, characteristic of his Scandinavian blood, he established many friendships, which will extend throughout his life at sea.

The Class of 1942 graduated on December 19, 1941, less than two weeks after the United States entered World War II. The class had previously been scheduled to graduate in February 1942.

Loss

Elton was lost when USS Johnston (DD 557) was sunk on October 25, 1944 during the Battle off Samar, a part of the Battle of Leyte Gulf.

Elton was executive officer of the ship, which earned a Presidential Unit Citation for the action.

Other Information

From researcher Kathy Franz:

Elton was born in Utah. He graduated from Pasadena High School in 1936 and attended California School of Technology. He married Beverly Myers on December 20, 1943, in Seattle, Washington.

His father was James of Los Angeles, and his mother was Edna of Pasadena. He had three brothers, Paul Stirling, Lt. Commander Cedric (’34) of the Navy, and Major Ned Stirling, U. S. Army on General Eisenhower’s staff in England.

He has a memory marker in Arlington National Cemetery.

Photographs

From the Lucky Bag

Class of 1942

Elton is one of 81 members of the Class of 1942 on Virtual Memorial Hall.

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