Rear-Admiral Gerhard Wilhelm Stöve

Gerhard Wilhelm Stöve was born in Zijpe on July 29, 1889 and he died on September 24, 1977 in a small town Loosduinen, near Den Haag.

He was promoted to Midshipsman 1st klass on August 24, 1909, Lieutenant (Sublieutenant??) on September 1, 1911, Lieutenant on June 8, 1920, Commander on April 16, 1931, Captain on October 16, 1935, Rear-Admiral (temporary) on January 1, 1940 and than finally to rank of Rear-Admiral on May 1, 1946. He retired from the Navy on May 1, 1946.
(Note ranks were very different in those days)

He was Head of Torpedo Group Netherlands since December 1, 1929 (torpedo service in Den Helder???), than commander of RNN cruiser Sumatra (1 November 1933 - 1 December 1933) , commander of RNN cruiser Java (15 November 1934 - 29 October 1935). After that he became Director of Hogere Marine Krijgsschool (Higher Navy Warschool) in Den Haag (1 July 1936 - 16 November 1937). He was also Commander of Netherlands East Indies Navy Squadron (December 7, 1937 - June 17, 1940).

He was also Commander of Royal Naval Institute "Willemsoord" in Soerabaja (August 1, 1940 - January 16, 1942). After that he became Dutch representative at Combined Chiefs of Staff in Washington (March 14, 1943 - May 15, 1944), Head of examination committee of officers of the merchant navy in New York (July 1943 - May 15, 1944), Commander return commissioned Royal Netherlands Navy to the Netherlands (as Chief of Navy in Netherlands) in London (May 20, 1944 - May 10, 1945), Commander of the Navy in Den Haag (May 10, 1945 - April 16, 1946) and finally Head of Navy History Branch (IMH) between October 1, 1946 - April 1, 1950. His awards include the Order of the Dutch Lion, Commodore in the Order of Oranje Nassau, War Remembrance Cross, Service Cross for navy officers for 35 years of service in RNN, Mobilization cross 1914 - 1918, Most Excellent Order of the British Empire-Honorary Commander, Legion of Merit (Commander) and Commodore in the Order of Leopold of Belgium.