Yates Stirling Jr.
On July 20, 1924, he became Captain of the Yard, Navy Yard, Washington, D.C., with additional duty as Assistant Superintendent of the Naval Gun Factory. He was promoted to rear admiral on October 6, 1926 and in December that year Stirling was designated Chief of Staff to Admiral Charles F. Hughes, Commander in Chief, U.S. Fleet, based at San Pedro, California. At the October 27, 1927 Navy Day Ceremonies at San Pedro harbor, despite an all-day downpour, thousands of Southern Californians gathered for the festivities, including ships' tours, band performances of patriotic music and the key-note address given by Stirling, "Merchant Marine, the Navy and the Nation".
John E. Sterling Jr.
From 2001 to 2003 Sterling served as the Chief of Staff of the 3rd Infantry Division, including the start of combat for Operation Iraqi Freedom. From 2005 to 2006 he served as Deputy Chief of Staff, United States Army Europe and Commander of the 18th Theater Army Engineer Brigade, during which he was reassigned as Deputy Commanding General, Combined Joint Task Force-76 for Operation Enduring Freedom. From 2006 to 2007 Sterling was Assistant Commandant of the United States Army Engineer School at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.