It is with deep regret that I inform you of the passing of Rear Admiral Everette Don Stumbaugh on 27 February 2025 at age 87. Rear Admiral Stumbaugh enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve in March 1955 and served in the Judge Advocate General Corps until his retirement in November 1990 as the 32nd Judge Advocate General of the Navy. He also previously served as the staff judge advocate for U.S. Pacific Command and as Deputy Judge Advocate General of the Navy.
Everette Stumbaugh enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve as a seaman recruit on 7 March 1955. He graduated from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas, in 1959 with a bachelor of science in business administration. He was commissioned as an ensign in the U.S. Naval Reserve on 15 April 1959 to rank from 22 January 1959. He reported for active duty on 19 April 1959.
In April 1959, Ensign Stumbaugh reported to Fleet Training Center, San Diego, for duty under instruction. In May 1959, he was then assigned to Naval Communication Facility, Philippines. He was promoted to lieutenant (junior grade) in July 1960. In January 1962, Lieutenant (j.g.) Stumbaugh reported to Headquarters, 11th Naval District, San Diego, California. He was promoted to lieutenant in February 1963.
In September 1963, Lieutenant Stumbaugh reported to Naval Reserve Electronics Facility, Fayetteville, Arkansas, as communications officer/electronics officer, Naval Reserve Electronics Division 8-8. In July 1964, he was assigned to Naval Reserve Surface Division 8‑8 as communications officer. In 1966, he earned a juris doctor (JD) degree from the University of Arkansas School of Law. Remaining in the Naval Reserve, he engaged in private law practice in Fayetteville and was promoted to lieutenant commander in October 1967.
In December 1969, Lieutenant Commander Stumbaugh reported to Naval Justice School, Naval Base, Newport, Rhode Island. In March 1970, he reported to the staff of Chief of Naval Air Technical Training as trial counsel/administrative assistant to director of law center with additional duty as judge advocate for Naval Air Station Memphis, Millington, Tennessee. In August 1970, he augmented from the Naval Reserve to the U.S. Navy. He was promoted to commander in September 1970.
In August 1972, Commander Stumbaugh was assigned to Headquarters, Naval District, Washington, DC, while earning a master of laws in public international and comparative law (with highest honors) from the George Washington University Law Center. In August 1973, he was assigned to the Office of the Judge Advocate General in Washington, DC, as lieutenant detailer/international law attorney. In July 1976, he reported to the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations (OPNAV) as assistant head, Ocean Affairs Branch (OP-616B) and legal advisor to the Deputy CNO for Plans, Policy and Operations (OP-06).
In June 1980, Commander Stumbaugh assumed duty as commanding officer, Naval Legal Service Office (NLSO), Yokosuka, Japan. He was promoted to captain in July 1980. (NLSO commands had been established in 1976.) In August 1984, he assumed duty as staff judge advocate for Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Pacific Command. In September 1986, he was assigned as special assistant to the Judge Advocate General. He was promoted to rear admiral on 1 July 1987 and assumed duty as Deputy Judge Advocate General of the Navy.
In November 1988, Rear Admiral Stumbaugh became the 32nd Judge Advocate General of the Navy, serving during the tenure of Secretarys of the Navy William Ball and Henry Garrett III, and Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Carlisle Trost.
Rear Admiral Stumbaugh’s awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal; Meritorious Service Medal (two awards); Navy Achievement Medal; National Defense Service Medal; and the Overseas Service Ribbon (four awards). Although not reflected in the service transcript, he probably has at least one Legion of Merit for his service as Deputy Judge Advocate General of the Navy.
After retirement from active duty, Rear Admiral Stumbaugh served as executive director of the American Inns of Court Foundation in Alexandria, Virginia.
Interment will be at Arlington National Ceremony at a date to be determined.
Rear Admiral Stumbaugh earned his college degree while serving as a seaman in the U.S. Naval Reserve, whereupon he gained a commission. He then served in a series of what appear to be general unrestricted line assignments until he earned a law degree. He found his calling and, from there, his career was pretty much rocket-assisted, with his legal advice and counsel highly valued everywhere he went. He was described as both a brilliant lawyer and a true gentleman, with a particular specialty in international law. This expertise was particularly valuable during his time at the senior levels of the Judge Advocate General Corps, which coincided with tumultuous international developments, including the fall of the Berlin Wall, the end of the Cold War, and the dissolution of the Soviet Union. It also coincided with hard cases including the turret explosion on the USS
Iowa (BB-61) (among the 47 killed were two enlisted legalmen). As the 32nd Judge Advocate General of the Navy (the first being Colonel William Butler Remey, USMC, in 1880), Stumbaugh was the highest-ranking uniformed lawyer in the Department of the Navy, responsible for serving as principal advisor to the Secretary of the Navy and Chief of Naval Operations on legal matters pertaining to the Navy. His principal roles were to serve as a staff assistant in the Office of the Secretary, to command the Office of the Judge Advocate General (OJAG), and to serve as Chief of the Judge Advocate General Corps. He also worked in close partnership with the general counsel, the senior civilian lawyer in the Department of the Navy. He filled these challenging and expansive roles with extraordinary professionalism and dedication during a very challenging time. With the sacrifice and support of his family, for which the Navy owes a debt of gratitude, he served our Navy and nation with great distinction.
Rest in Peace, Admiral Stumbaugh.