Elton Stirling '42
Date of birth: February 21, 1919
Date of death: October 25, 1944
Age: 25
Lucky Bag
From the 1942 Lucky Bag:
ELTON BERNARD STIRLING
Pasadena, California
Silver
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.
Soccer 4, 3, 2, aNf; Battalion Track; Stars 4, 3; C.P.O.
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.
He has a memory marker in Arlington National Cemetery.
Class of 1942
Elton is one of 82 members of the Class of 1942 on Virtual Memorial Hall.
