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| {{Status|Canon}}
| | SERVICE NUMBER: 00834-19223-HS |
| {{Character infobox
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| |variant=Human
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| |name=Hieronymus Michael Stanforth
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| |image=[[File:HFB-Stanforth.jpg|300px]]
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| |homeworld=[[Earth]]<ref name="Mike">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/characters/michael-stanforth '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Michael Stanforth'']</ref>{{Ref/Reuse|alph}}
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| |birth=[[2486|July 3, 2486]]{{Ref/Reuse|Mike}}{{Ref/Reuse|alph}}<ref name="clarity">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/canon-fodder-clarity-grace '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Canon Fodder - Clarity & Grace'']</ref><ref name="wp correction">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/forums/db05ce78845f4120b062c50816008e5d/topics/canon-fodder-4-4-15-clarity-grace/af75b524-4678-4c9e-82b2-901c51fcdf64/posts?page=5#post81 '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Forums - Canon Fodder 4-4-15: Clarity & Grace'']</ref>{{Ref/NoteReuse|confusion}}
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| |death=[[2552|August 30, 2552]]{{Ref/Reuse|Mike}}{{Ref/Reuse|alph}}
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| |causeofdeath=
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| |parents=
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| |siblings=
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| |spouses=
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| |children=
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| |species=[[Human]]
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| |gender=Male
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| |height={{Convert|177.8|cm|ftin}}{{Ref/Reuse|Mike}}
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| |mass={{Convert|79.4|kg|lb}}{{Ref/Reuse|Mike}}
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| |hair=Grey
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| |eyes=Blue
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| |affiliation=[[UNSC Navy]]
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| |rank=[[Vice admiral]]{{Ref/Reuse|alph}}
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| |sn=00834-19223-HS{{Ref/Reuse|Mike}}
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| |notable=
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| }}
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| {{Quote|That was a helluva [[Keyes Loop|piece of astrogation]] you pulled off. People noticed. Not to mention the morale boost it's given to the entire fleet. Now, that's the reason we're all here. We need a victory. It's been too damn long—us getting whittled to pieces by those alien bastards. This has got to be a win. No matter what it takes.|Michael Stanforth to [[Jacob Keyes]], during the [[Battle of Sigma Octanus IV]]<ref>'''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]''', ''page 186'' (2010)</ref>}}
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| '''Vice Admiral Hieronymus "Harold" Michael Stanforth'''{{Ref/NoteReuse|confusion}} ([[service number]] '''00834-19223-HS'''){{Ref/Reuse|Mike}} was a [[Vice Admiral|flag officer]] of the [[UNSC Navy]]. He served as the [[Section Chiefs|head]] of the [[Office of Naval Intelligence]]'s [[ONI Section Three|Section Three]], its clandestine operations group, in the early years of the [[Human-Covenant War]].{{Ref/Reuse|alph}}<ref name="Halo page 33">'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 33'' (2010)</ref> Aiding with the planning and implementation of the [[SPARTAN-II program]], Stanforth had command of all Spartan-field operations early in the Covenant War. As the war continued, Stanforth left ONI to become the Commander of [[FLEETCOM Sector Three]] to aid in the defense of the [[Inner Colonies]]. After his [[Battle of Sigma Octanus IV|victory]] at [[Sigma Octanus IV]], Stanforth was charged with the [[Fall of Reach|defense]] of [[Reach]], where he was ultimately killed when the [[Covenant]] broke through his final line of defense.{{Ref/Reuse|Mike}}
| | FLEETCOM Sector Three Commanding Officer. Sector three includes [[Sigma Octanus IV]]. |
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| ==Biography==
| | Also commander of the [[UNSC battlecruiser Leviathan]]. |
| ===Early career===
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| By [[2503]], Stanforth had risen to the rank of [[admiral]]. On June 13 of that year, Stanforth sent a [[UNSC Transmission 08871D-00|message]] from his ship, {{UNSCShip|Leviathan}}, to then-[[Preston Cole|Captain Preston Cole]].{{Ref/Note|Id=confusion|See [[Michael Stanforth#Discrepancies|this section]].}} The [[Office of Naval Intelligence]] had discovered that Cole's wife [[Lyrenne Castilla]] was in fact an [[Insurrectionist]] and the commander of the ''[[Bellicose]]''. Stanforth broke regulations by [[UNSC Transmission 08871D-00|warning]] Cole three hours before [[Reach]] [[Central Command]] transmitted the orders for Castilla's arrest and Cole's recall. Stanforth told Cole: {{Article quote|You've got three hours. Find Lyrenne before ONI gets her. Bring her in yourself. That'll go a long way toward clearing your name and ending this.}}
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| Although Cole faced court martial and even [[capital punishment]] for possible [[treason]], Stanforth and Cole's admiring public pressured ONI into releasing Cole with no charges. All that were involved were given strict orders to keep the affair classified.<ref>'''[[Halo: Evolutions]]''', "[[The Impossible Life and the Possible Death of Preston J. Cole]]", ''pages 454-458''</ref>
| | As of 2517 he was a vice admiral and head of section three of UNSC Military Intelligence division. At that time he refused to allow [[Dr. Catherine Halsey]] to use the Han on her study for the [[Spartan]] candidates unless she had a military escort. Halsey chose then [[Captain Jacob Keyes|Lieutenant (J.G.) Keyes]] for the assignment. |
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| In [[2507]], Stanforth held the rank of [[Captain (Navy)|captain]], possibly due to demotion or because his position as an admiral was temporary.{{Ref/NoteReuse|confusion}} During this same year he noticed the potential of [[Catherine Halsey|Dr. Catherine Halsey]], as she corrected [[Elias Carver]]'s work while she was still a young upstart. This was the start of Stanforth's continuous aiding of Dr. Halsey with her project as her military counterpart and protecting her and the project from those that wanted to see it disbanded. During the next three years, the captain would rise in rank to become a vice admiral by December 2510.<ref name="journal">'''[[Halo: Reach]]''', ''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]''</ref>
| | He was the Admiral who initially breifed the Spartan soldiers on the [[Covenant]] in 2525, the first time they were ever given information on the species. Stanforth's breifing incuded diagrams of [[Grunts]] and [[Jackals]], as well as information on the [[Battle of Harvest]]. |
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| ===Career with ONI===
| | Stanforth led the UNSC navy in the [[Battle of Sigma Octanus IV]]. |
| At some point, Stanforth held a seat on the [[UNSC Security Council]].{{Ref/Book|Id=fb29|Halo: Fleet Battles - The Fall of Reach campaign guide|Page=29}} Stanforth was [[Section Chiefs|head]] of Section Three of the Office of Naval Intelligence from [[2512]] to [[2530]]. He was involved with many classified projects including [[Project GUNGNIR|GUNGNIR]], [[SPARTAN programs|SPARTAN]], and [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor|MJOLNIR]].{{Ref/Reuse|alph}} Although he protected Halsey and her [[SPARTAN-II program]] from competitors and saboteurs, he also prevented her from accessing classified information such as information on the [[SPARTAN-III program]].{{Ref/Reuse|journal}} In [[2517]], he refused to allow Dr. Halsey to use the {{Class|Vancouver|courier}} ''[[Han]]'' on her study for the [[SPARTAN-II program|Spartan-II]] candidates unless she had a military escort. Halsey chose then-[[Jacob Keyes|Junior-Grade Lieutenant Jacob Keyes]] for the assignment.{{Ref/Reuse|Halo page 33}}
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| [[File:TFoR AS - Harvest holo.jpg|thumb|250px|left|Stanforth reveals Harvest's glassing to the Spartan-IIs.]]
| | He was a friend to Captain Keyes, and enjoyed whiskey. He was also the officer that promoted Keyes from Commander to Captain. |
| On [[2525|November 2, 2525]], Stanforth gave the Spartan-IIs their first briefing on the [[Covenant]] at the [[Reach FLEETCOM Military Complex]]. Stanforth's briefing included diagrams of [[Unggoy]] and [[Kig-Yar]], as well as information on the [[First Battle of Harvest|fall]] of [[Harvest]]. He revealed that due to the UNSC-wide mobilization, the [[SPARTAN-II training]] would be accelerated and the Spartans would be given their [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor]] earlier.<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''pages 118-121'' (2010)</ref> For the early years of the war, Stanforth had ultimate control of the Spartan-field operations.{{Ref/Reuse|Mike}} On [[2526#March|March 7, 2526]], Stanforth, Cole, and Doctor Halsey gathered in a secure conference room aboard the {{UNSCShip|Everest}} where they discussed the recent failed [[Skirmish over Netherop|capture attempt]] of a Covenant [[Radiant Arrow|ship]] and their next moves. [[Staff Sergeant]] [[Avery Johnson]] was called before them and recruited to assist with [[Operation: SILENT STORM]]. Stanforth expressed approval of his addition to the team.{{Ref/Novel|Id=HSS4|HSS|Chapter=4}} On [[2526|April 28, 2526]], Stanforth requested for the Office of Naval Intelligence to repurpose all assets to aid the [[Human-Covenant War|new war against the Covenant]] and to refocus all research on wartime strategy.{{Ref/Reuse|journal}} On [[2526#June|June 12, 2526]], Stanforth took part in a Court of Inquiry aboard the ''Everest'' in the aftermath of the [[Battle of Netherop]]. Unlike Admiral Cole, Stanforth was far more antagonistic towards [[John-117]] and the [[Castoffs]] and John recognized that Stanforth was trying to use his position as head of ONI to intimidate John, albiet without success. John quickly realized that Stanforth wanted to keep the Castaways in custody due to what they had learned about the [[SPARTAN-II program]]. However, after the Castaways gave John their word, Cole decided to honor the deal he had made even though the Castaways wanted to go to [[Gao]] where the [[Insurrectionist]] traitor [[Hector Nyeto]] was located.<ref name="Oblivion">'''[[Halo: Oblivion]]''', ''Epilogue''</ref>
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| On [[2530]], Stanforth resigned as the head of ONI's Section Three to take a more active role in the defense of the [[human colonies]],{{Ref/Reuse|alph}} though he continued to support the SPARTAN-II program. His primary duties turned to bolstering the colonial defenses of the [[Inner Colonies]].{{Ref/Reuse|Mike}} In [[2531|May 2531]], then-Vice Admiral Cole sent a [[UNSC Transmission 102482-02|message]] from the ''Everest'' to Stanforth, who had become the UNSC Region One Commander at Reach [[Central Command|CENTCOM]]. Cole outlined a series of recommendations intended to safeguard the location of [[Earth]] and other human colonies. These recommendations would form the foundation of the [[Cole Protocol]]. A nearly identical message, known as [[Cole Protocol#Hypodermic FXT-J|Hypodermic FXT-J]], had already been sent to Admiral [[Margaret Parangosky]], [[Commander-in-Chief of the Office of Naval Intelligence]].<ref>'''Halo: Evolutions''', "The Impossible Life and the Possible Death of Preston J. Cole", ''page 467''</ref>
| | [[Category: Characters]][[Category: UNSC]] |
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| By [[2535]], Stanforth had entered a committee discussing ONI budget on several projects, including the MJOLNIR project, forcing the project to take on a generational "Mark" system to categorize, prioritize and serialize the project in budgets.{{Ref/Reuse|journal}} In [[2549]], at Admiral Stanforth's insistence, the SPARTAN-II program was made public for morale purposes.<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 216'' (2001); ''page 249'' (2010)</ref>
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| ===Battle of Sigma Octanus IV===
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| {{Main|Battle of Sigma Octanus IV}}
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| By [[2552]], Vice Admiral Stanforth commanded [[FLEETCOM Sector Three]], which included the [[Sigma Octanus system]]. He was the first person who then-Commander Jacob Keyes informed via [[COM|SATCOM]] of the impending Covenant [[Battle of Sigma Octanus IV|invasion]] of [[Sigma Octanus IV]].<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''pages 167-168'' (2010)</ref> To aid in the defense of the planet, Stanforth had amassed four dozen UNSC ships in orbit over Sigma Octanus IV—including two [[UNSC carrier|carrier]]s, a [[refit station]], and numerous [[cruiser]]s, [[UNSC destroyer|destroyer]]s, and [[UNSC frigate|frigate]]s.<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 181'' (2010)</ref> After Keyes' [[Keyes Loop|impressive tactical maneuver]] that led to the destruction of three Covenant vessels and the forced retreat of a carrier, Stanforth went aboard {{UNSCShip|Iroquois}} to personally congratulate Keyes and promote him to the rank of captain. Later, at Keyes' request, Stanforth had [[William Lovell|Ensign William Lovell]] transferred to ''Iroquois''.<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''pages 186-188'' (2010)</ref>
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| [[File:HFB-UNSCLeviathan.png|thumb|250px|Stanforth commanded the fleet at Sigma Octanus aboard UNSC ''Leviathan'', which he affectionately referred to as "Levi".]]
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| Six hours later, a second Covenant fleet had returned to the Sigma Octanus system. He led the UNSC forces during the battle from the flagship {{Class|Marathon|heavy cruiser}} {{UNSCShip|Leviathan}}. Stanforth had his fleet hold position between Sigma Octanus IV and its [[natural satellite]]. While it allowed for the fleet to fire all their MAC guns simultaneously at the Covenant fleet with a single massive volley, the formation restricted the mobility of the fleet and would leave them unable to evade the extremely accurate Covenant [[plasma torpedo]]es. As the UNSC and Covenant vessels engaged each other, the Covenant fleet was heavily damaged from the UNSC's opening MAC salvo. Stanforth then gave an order to all ships commanding them not to fire. He told the ships to hold their positions and then the {{UNSCShip|Cradle}} moved in front of the UNSC formation, acting as a sacrificial shield, and absorbed the Covenant fleet's first salvo. With ''Cradle'' destroyed and the Covenant attack deflected, Stanforth ordered for all ships to break formation and attack before the Covenant fleet recharged its weapons.<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''pages 215-222'' (2010)</ref>
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| During the battle, UNSC ''Iroquois'' left the engagement to destroy a [[Covenant stealth ship]] in orbit over the planet. During this period of the battle, Stanforth was slightly injured as a result of damage to the ''Leviathan''. Afterward, Keyes contacted him and requested the admiral's aid in destroying a Covenant destroyer that was preparing to engage ''Iroquois''. Stanforth demanded to know why Keyes left the battle, Keyes informed the admiral about the incident with the stealth ship as well as his discovery of a Covenant transmission that held the reason for the Covenant's assault on Sigma Octanus. Accepting Keyes' explanation, Stanforth ordered the remaining eight UNSC ships to fire upon the destroyer, though it survived the volley and continued on its course toward ''Iroquois'', only to break off and leave the system along with the rest of the Covenant fleet.<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''pages 227-229'' (2010)</ref> As the rest of the Covenant fleet retreated, Stanforth considered the battle a victory that would raise morale.<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 242'' (2010)</ref> In a decision he would come to regret, Stanforth gave Dr. Halsey the after-action report on the battle. Later, he was afraid that she might find out about the [[Forerunner]] [[Sigma Octanus IV artifact|crystal]] found there.{{Ref/Reuse|journal}}
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| Following the battle, on [[2552|July 18, 2552]], Stanforth had requested the crew of his flagship transferred to ''[[UNSC Coenwulf|Coenwulf]]'' as ''Leviathan'' required at least two months of repair work. Stanforth sent a post-battle report to [[Margaret Parangosky|Admiral Margaret Parangosky]], estimating that it would take up to a dozen years to repair the damages done to the planet's surface. He planned to return to [[HIGHCOM Facility Bravo-6]] in [[Sydney]], [[Australia]] on [[Earth]] to "make rounds".<ref>'''[[Data Drop]]''', ''#2''</ref> However, Parangosky suggested for him to head for [[Camp Hathcock]] at [[Reach]] instead, believing that the [[Epsilon Eridani system]] would be attacked by the Covenant in the following weeks. She then suggested that Stanforth should consider initiating [[Operation: RED FLAG]]—in the event that the Covenant attacked Reach.<ref>'''Data Drop''', ''#3''</ref>
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| ===Fall of Reach===
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| {{Main|Fall of Reach}}
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| [[File:Stanforth Mem.jpg|250px|thumb|left|Vice Admiral Stanforth's ONI memorial plaque.]]
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| Stanforth ordered Keyes to return with him to Reach for debriefing.<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 245'' (2010)</ref> By [[2552|August 1, 2552]], Stanforth had returned to Epsilon Eridani, along with half of his [[battle group]] that was present at Sigma Octanus. He stated that he was concerned that Parangosky was considering RED FLAG, and stated that if used on Reach, the human death count and military sacrifice would be astounding and that it would become a revolutionary point in the war. Despite his concerns, Stanforth attached the document detailing the specifics of the operation with his message to Parangosky.<ref name="dd4">'''Data Drop''', ''#4''</ref>
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| As the Covenant onslaught on the Epsilon Eridani system began, Stanforth commanded naval forces throughout the system. On [[2552#August|August 12, 2552]], Stanforth's [[Battle Group Leviathan]] was now in full capacity and had returned to Reach for emergency repairs and refit.{{Ref/Reuse|journal}} While the battle group was repaired, Stanforth and Keyes arrived at [[Camp Hathcock]] in the [[Highland Mountains]] on Reach for debriefing. Shortly after, they returned to their respective vessels within the battle group.<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 252'' (2010)</ref> Following the Covenant's discovery and pursuit of an important artifact contained within [[Site 17|a Forerunner complex]] hidden in the system's [[Oort cloud]], the human researchers at the site were forced to flee; Stanforth intended to lure the Covenant fleet away from the relic and its defenders and into a trap over Reach.<ref name="fb4">'''Halo: Fleet Battles''', ''Scenario Four: Run!''</ref> To protect the artifact from capture, Stanforth was forced to vector in reinforcements to stop the pursuing Covenant squadrons. The resulting battle was evenly matched, but every ship that he lost was irreplaceable.<ref name="fb5">'''Halo: Fleet Battles''', ''Scenario Five: Into The Fire''</ref>
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| On [[2552|August 27, 2552]], Stanforth sent a message to Parangosky detailing his guilt about keeping half of Reach in the dark about the Covenant invasion. He later revealed the key assets and staff involved in RED FLAG and expressed amazement at the [[Career Service Vitae]] belonging to [[John-117]].<ref name="dd5">'''Data Drop''', ''#5''</ref> That day, Stanforth had Halsey brief the SPARTAN-IIs on Operation: RED FLAG.<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 274'' (2010)</ref>
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| On [[2552#August|August 30, 2552]], Stanforth backed Dr. Halsey's official protest that was sent to {{UNSCShip|Burden of Proof}} that was related to [[James Ackerson|Colonel James Ackerson]]'s possible involvement with the sabotage of Halsey's field test with John-117 and [[Cortana]].{{Ref/Reuse|journal}} Stanforth had the SPARTAN-IIs affiliated with RED FLAG board {{UNSCShip|Pillar of Autumn}}, but ensured that none of them used their [[COM]] unit to prevent anyone else from discovering the operation.<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 313'' (2010)</ref> The same day, Stanforth led the remains of the Epsilon Eridani Fleet over Reach from ''Leviathan'', though he was killed when the Covenant fleet broke through his final line of defense and destroyed his ship.{{Ref/Reuse|Mike}}{{Ref/Reuse|alph}}
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| {{Clear}}
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| ==Personality and traits==
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| [[File:TFoR AS - Stanforth.jpg|thumb|250px|Michael Stanforth in 2525.]]
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| Michael Stanforth was a competent fleet commander who did not fear leading the ships under his command from the front.{{Ref/Reuse|Mike}} Stanforth displayed a cold and distant demeanor before his subordinates. Nonetheless, Stanforth was considered to be a truly selfless leader who always put the interests of his troops ahead of his own.{{Ref/Reuse|fb29}} Considered a humanist at heart, he had a close, personal friendship with [[Jacob Keyes]].<ref>'''[[Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition)]]''', ''page 74'' (2011)</ref> Stanforth held respect for Keyes and [[John-117]], believing both to be remarkable individuals.{{Ref/Reuse|dd5}} Keyes noted that Stanforth was known for being reasonable and intelligent.<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 167'' (2010)</ref> Stanforth also held close working relationships with [[Margaret Parangosky]] and [[Preston Cole]]. When he realized that Cole's wife, [[Lyrenne Castilla]], was an insurgent, he broke regulation and warned him to prevent ONI from giving Cole a court martial. He respected [[Catherine Halsey|Doctor Catherine Halsey]] and had been one of the few to notice her potential when she was young. He would often help her by protecting her projects from competitors, including [[James Ackerson|Colonel James Ackerson]]. When [[Operation: RED FLAG]] was deemed appropriate for initiation at [[Reach]], Stanforth was willing to include Dr. Halsey in it—despite Admiral Parangosky's reluctance.{{Ref/Reuse|dd4}}
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| Stanforth did not particularly care to show off his service medals on his [[UNSC Navy uniforms|naval dress uniform]]. In most situations, he preferred to wear a subdued [[UNSC Navy Dress Uniform#Black dress|black dress]] uniform without displaying any medals or campaign ribbons. Only in rare cases, such as when he sat on the [[UNSC Security Council]] or when he briefed the leadership of the [[Unified Earth Government]], did Stanforth don a [[UNSC Navy Dress Uniform#White dress|white dress]] with awards. Stanforth's austere appearance was adopted by many of his aides, subordinates, and protégés, much to the annoyance of the more image-conscious Fleet Admiral Lord [[Terrence Hood]]. In public, Stanforth was unwaveringly rigorous in his discipline and adherence to military protocols and formalities. However, Stanforth occasionally indulged in [[Mars|Martian]] [[list of food and drinks|whiskey]] and [[Sweet William cigar]]s while relaxing in private.{{Ref/Reuse|fb29}} Stanforth suffered from "[[space walk]]" due to his long terms in microgravity.<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 117'' (2010)</ref>
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| ==''Halo: Fleet Battles''==
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| Vice Admiral Michael Stanforth is available as a Fleet Commander in ''[[Halo: Fleet Battles]]'' for 100 points. He is able to use a Spartan every full 1,000 points at the cost of 100 points each.<ref name="HFBLC">'''[[Halo: Fleet Battles]]''' Fleet Commander card</ref>
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| ===Standard Orders===
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| *'''Focused Attack'''
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| **Cost: 1 Order Attack die
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| **Description: An element may re-roll up to two Halo attack dice. These dice may only be re-rolled once. This order is issued after any initial dice are rolled during either the attack segment or the boarding resolution phase.
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| *'''Brace! Brace! Brace!'''
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| **Cost: 1 Order Defense die
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| **Description: When targeted by a firing solution or when colliding with terrain, the total number of attack successes rolled against the nominated target is reduced by -2. This order must be issued before any initial attack dice roll.
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| *'''Form Up!'''
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| **Cost: 1 Order Command die
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| **Description: The Fleet Commander may order the re-building of a battle group up to a maximum build rating of 6. This order must be issued during the execute orders step of the order dice phase.
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| ===Special Orders===
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| *'''Prepare For Boarders!'''
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| **Cost: 2 Order Defense dice and 1 Order Command die
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| **Description: Increase the security detail present on board a single friendly capital element by +4 for this turn. This order must be issued during the orders step of the boarding resolution phase.
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| *'''Take It To Them!'''
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| **Cost: 3 Order Attack Dice
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| **Description: Increase the Halo attack dice of each friendly security detail on board a target enemy element by +2. This order must be issued during the orders step of the boarding resolution phase.
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| ===Unique Ability===
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| Vice Admiral Stanforth galvanized the UNSC forces at Reach into a formidable force using a combination of raw charisma and intuitive command skills. Stanforth may re-roll two fleet orders dice once per turn. The second result must be accepted.
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| ==Production notes==
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| ===Discrepancies===
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| ====Name====
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| Though Stanforth is referred to by his middle name, Michael, in ''Halo: The Fall of Reach'', the novel lists his service number as 00834-19223-HS, indicating his first name begins with the letter H. The [[ONI memorial]] in ''Halo 3: ODST'' gives Stanforth's first name as "Hieronymus", while ''The Impossible Life and the Possible Death of Preston J. Cole'' identifies him as "Harold". This was likely due to a lack of communication between [[Bungie]] and the short story's author, [[Eric Nylund]]. The [[Data Drop]] written by [[343 Industries]] reiterates his first name as Harold on one occasion, yet he is otherwise consistently referred to as Hieronymus. His service number is listed consistently across these different media, indicating that "Harold" Stanforth in ''The Impossible Life and the Possible Death of Preston J. Cole'' is indeed meant to be the same person as Michael Stanforth in ''The Fall of Reach'' and the ONI memorial plaque.
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| ====Age====
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| The ONI memorial lists Stanforth's date of birth as July 3, 2486.<ref name="alph">'''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''', multiplayer level ''[[Alpha Site]]'': [[ONI Memorial]]</ref> The 2010 edition of ''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]'' was modified to accommodate this; whereas Stanforth was originally mentioned as being ten years Dr. Halsey's senior, he is stated to be six years older than Halsey in the new edition.<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 95'' (2001); ''page 117'' (2010)</ref> If the timeline of his life from ''Halo: Evolutions'' were taken at face value, this would mean he reached the rank of full admiral (O-10) at 17 years old. Despite the discrepancy, 343 Industries have reiterated the date of birth given in the memorial as being canonical.{{Ref/Reuse|clarity}} Even if Harold Stanforth were treated as a separate character, Michael's date of birth would nonetheless mean that he had reached the rank of captain (O-6) by the age of 21.{{Ref/Reuse|journal}}
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| According to the short story, Admiral Stanforth commanded a vessel known as the ''Leviathan'' in June 2503. However, as the [[Marathon-class heavy cruiser|''Marathon'' class]] was designed as a replacement for the [[Halcyon-class light cruiser|''Halcyon'' class]], (itself designed in [[2510]]) this particular vessel was likely the namesake of Stanforth's later flagship: see [[UNSC Leviathan#Note|here]] for more information.
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| As mentioned above, it is difficult to consider the 2486 figure as factually accurate, as it would make Stanforth far too young. His biological age would be further reduced by the extensive spans of [[Cryo chamber|cryosleep]] during slipspace jumps. However, his visual depictions in the ''[[Halo: Fall of Reach]]'' comic series, ''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach - The Animated Series]]'', and ''[[Halo: Fleet Battles]]'' suggest an age decades greater than his purported chronological age of 39. If he were an admiral in 2510, he would most likely have been middle-aged at the time. If this were the case, Vice Admiral Stanforth would have been nearly a century old near the end of the Human-Covenant War. This is not out of the question, however, as 26th-century medical advances and cryosleep during slipspace travel may very well extend human longevity decades beyond what modern science allows. For example, Admiral [[Margaret Parangosky]], the former Commander in Chief of ONI, served at least until the age of 92, and the combination of medical science and cryosleep have been mentioned as being capable of pushing back the effects of aging for at least two decades.<ref>'''Halo: Evolutions''',''"The Impossible Life and the Possible Death of Preston J. Cole"'', ''pages 485-486''</ref>
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| A later TodayInHalo tweet posted by the official Halo twitter on June 3, [[2020]], reaffirmed the birth date as June 3, 2486.{{Ref/Site|D=01|M=6|Y=2020|URL=https://twitter.com/Halo/status/1279037430490894338|Site=Twitter|Page=Halo|Quote=#TodayInHalo, 2486 – Hieronymus Michael Stanforth is born on Earth. He will rise to the rank of Vice Admiral and will become a crucial leader in the Covenant War.}}
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| ====Rank====
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| The strangest incongruity in Stanforth's background is his rank. Even if he were reduced in grade between 2503 and 2507, it is extremely unlikely that his rank would be reduced four grades (from O-10 to O-6) for any reason. No source suggests a disciplinary infraction of any kind, and even if his rank of admiral were temporary (perhaps due to holding a position that required an O-10 rank) he probably would not have received such a prominent ''ad hoc'' position in the first place. Dr. Halsey's personal journal makes no mention of Stanforth's past as a flag officer: he is referred to as "the Captain" in entries dated between 2507 and December 2510, after which he is called "the Vice Admiral".
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| ==Gallery==
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| <gallery>
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| File:HFoR-stanforth.png|Stanforth alongside [[Beowulf]].
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| File:FoRBootCamp - Harvest remains.png|Stanforth mourning the loss of Harvest.
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| File:Threat.jpg|Stanforth hears the Covenant's declaration of war.
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| File:FoR_Stanforth.png|Stanforth in ''[[Halo: Fall of Reach]]''.
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| File:HFB-Stanforthbust.png|A bust of Michael Stanforth in ''[[Halo: Fleet Battles]]''.
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| File:HFB-Stanforth&dice.png|A colored bust of Stanforth (work-in-progress).
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| File:HFB Busts Concept.jpg|Concept art for the bust of Stamforth.
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| File:HFB-Stanforth&Epoch.jpg|A view of Stanforth's fleet commander card.
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| File:Enc22_Stanforth.jpg|Stanforth in the ''[[Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition)]]''.
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| </gallery>
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| ==List of appearances==
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| *''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]'' {{1st}}
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| *''[[Halo: The Flood]]'' {{Mo}}
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| *''[[Halo 3: ODST]]'' {{Mo}}
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| *''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]''
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| **''[[The Impossible Life and the Possible Death of Preston J. Cole]]''
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| *''[[Halo: Reach]]''
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| **''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]'' {{Mo}}
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| *''[[Halo: Fall of Reach]]''
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| **''[[Halo: Fall of Reach - Boot Camp|Boot Camp]]''
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| **''[[Halo: Fall of Reach - Invasion|Invasion]]''
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| *''[[Halo: Fleet Battles]]''
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| *''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach - The Animated Series]]''
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| *''[[Halo: Silent Storm]]''
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| *''[[Halo: Oblivion]]''
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| *''[[Halo: The Television Series Season Two]]''
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| **''[[Thermopylae (TV Series)|Thermopylae]]'' {{Mo}}
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| **''[[Halo (TV Series)|Halo]]'' {{Mo}}
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| ==Notes==
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| {{Ref/Notes}}
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| ==Sources==
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| {{Ref/Sources|2}}
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| [[Category:Human characters|Stanforth, Michael]] | |
| [[Category:UNSC Navy officers|Stanforth, Michael]] | |
| [[Category:Office of Naval Intelligence personnel|Stanforth, Michael]]
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