Roger N. Stembel

Roger Nelson Stembel (December 27 1810 – November 20 1900) was an officer of the United States Navy during the Civil War.

Stembel, born in Middletown, Maryland, was appointed midshipman in the United States Navy on March 27 1832. He served in the West India, Mediterranean, Home, Brazil, China, and East India Squadrons prior to the Civil War.

During the Civil War, Stembel served in the Western Gunboat Flotilla during 1861 and 1862. He participated in the engagements of Lucas' Bend, September 9 1861; Belmont, November 1861; Fort Henry, February 1862; and the bombardment and capture of Island No. 10 in March and April 1862. While commanding the Cincinnati, Stembel was seriously wounded in an engagement with Confederate rams near Fort Pillow on May 10 1862, and invalided in 1863.

Stembel was assigned shore duty at Pittsburgh in 1864 and 1865. Promoted to captain in 1866, he commanded USS "Canandaigua" in the European Squadron from 1865 to 1867. He was stationed at Boston in 1869 and was promoted to Commodore in 1871. In that year, he assumed command of the North Squadron of the Pacific Fleet; and, in 1872, he assumed command of the Pacific Fleet as well. He retired on December 27 1872 and was promoted to rear admiral on June 5 1874. Admiral Stembel died in New York City on November 20 1900. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia.

The USS "Stembel" (DD-644) was named in his honor. Stembel was the son in law of James McBride of Hamilton, Ohio, and therefore connected with several prominent politicians related to the Lytle family.

External links

* [http://history.navy.mil/danfs/s18/stembel.htm history.navy.mil: USS "Stembel"]
* [http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/rnstembel.htm Arlington National Cemetery: Roger Nelson Stembel]