Roger Nelson Stembel – Rear Admiral, United States Navy

Roger Nelson Stembel was born at Middleton, Maryland, December 27, 1810. He entered the United States Navy as a midshipman, March 27, 1832.

He served in a cruiser that was wrecked near Vera Cruz, Mexico, 1833 and then on duty at the United States Naval School, NY, 1834-38. He was a Passed Midshipman, June 23, 1838, and a Lieutenant, October 23, 1843. He served on the Coast Survey until 1847, then on various stations until the beginning of Civil War. He then fitted out gunboats at Cincinnati and served in the Mississippi River flotillas. He wasd commander of the river gunboat Lexington in numerous engagements. He commanded the Cincinnati, which was sunk in action with rams at Fort Pillow, where he was seriously wounded.

He was promoted to Captain, July 25, 1866, Commodore, July 13, 1870. He retired on December 27, 1872 and was promoted to Rear Admiral on the Retired List, Jun 5, 1874.

He made his home in Washington, D.C. He died at New York City November 30, 1900. and was buried in Section 1 of Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors.
His wife,  Laura McBride Stembel  (November 20, 1833-December 29, 1900) is buried with him.

NOTE: A contemporary relative, David Maynard Stembel, Jr., Captain, United States Navy, who died on 10 July 1995, is also buried near by.

STEMBEL, R N

• REAR ADM USN
• DATE OF DEATH: 11/20/1900
• BURIED AT:   SITE 533
  ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

STEMBEL, L MCB W/O R N

• DATE OF DEATH: 12/18/1900
• BURIED AT:   SITE 533
• ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY
  WIFE OF RN STEMBEL, REAR ADM

Michael Robert Patterson

Michael Robert Patterson was born in Arlington and is the son of a former officer of the US Army. So it was no wonder that sooner or later his interests drew him to American history and especially to American military history. Many of his articles can be found on renowned portals like the New York Times, Washingtonpost or Wikipedia.

Reviewed by: Michael Howard