Editing Michael Stanforth

{{Status|Canon}}
{{Character infobox
|variant=Human
|name=Hieronymus Michael Stanforth
|image=[[File:HFB-Stanforth.jpg|300px]]
|homeworld=[[Earth]]{{Ref/Site|Id=universe|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/characters/michael-stanforth|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Michael Stanforth|D=30|M=10|Y=2015}}{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22|Enc22|Page=105}}
|birth=[[2486|July 3, 2486]]{{Ref/Map|Id=alph|H3ODST|Alpha Site|Detail=[[ONI Memorial]]}}{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}{{Ref/Site|Id=CFClarity|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/canon-fodder-clarity-grace|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - Clarity & Grace|D=23|M=12|Y=2019}}{{Ref/Site|Id=wp correction|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/forums/db05ce78845f4120b062c50816008e5d/topics/canon-fodder-4-4-15-clarity-grace/af75b524-4678-4c9e-82b2-901c51fcdf64/posts?page=5|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Forums - Canon Fodder 4-4-15: Clarity & Grace|D=20|M=12|Y=2019}}
{{Ref/NoteReuse|confusion}}
|death=[[2552|August 30, 2552]]{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}{{Ref/Reuse|alph}}
|causeofdeath=Killed aboard {{UNSCShip|Leviathan}} during the [[Fall of Reach]]{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
|parents=
|siblings=
|spouses=
|children=
|species=[[Human]]
|gender=Male
|height={{Convert|177.8|cm|ftin}}{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
|mass={{Convert|79.4|kg|lb}}{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
|hair=Grey
|eyes=Blue
|affiliation=[[UNSC Navy]]
|rank=[[Vice Admiral]]{{Ref/Reuse|alph}}
|sn=00834-19223-HS{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
|notable=
}}
{{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/Novel|Id=FOR18|HTFoR|Chapter=18}}}}

'''Vice Admiral Hieronymus "Harold" Michael Stanforth'''{{Ref/NoteReuse|confusion}} ([[service number]] '''00834-19223-HS'''){{Ref/Reuse|universe}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}} 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/Novel|Id=FOR1|HTFoR|Chapter=1}} 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 [[CENTCOM Region 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|universe}}

==Biography==
===Early career===
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.{{Ref/Anthology|Id=Cole5|Evo|The Impossible Life and the Possible Death of Preston J. Cole|Section=Five: The Outer Colony Insurgency: The Gorgon v. Bellicose (2495-2504)}} 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.{{Ref/Reuse|Cole5}}}}

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/Reuse|Cole5}}

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/Book|Id=J2510|Dr. Halsey's personal journal|Page=December 4, 2510}}

===Career with ONI===
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/Book|Dr. Halsey's personal journal|Page=May 15, 2552}} In [[2513]], he indicated to Halsey that changing the name of the then-budding SPARTAN-II program from its original designation of "Generation-II ORION" to a new name (eventually settled on SPARTAN-II) would aid in getting the project approved from the military by distancing it from the failures of the earlier [[ORION Project]].{{Ref/Book|Dr. Halsey's personal journal|Page=June 19, 2513}}

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|FOR1}}

[[File:TFoR AS - Harvest holo.jpg|thumb|250px|left|Stanforth reveals Harvest's glassing to the Spartan-IIs.]]
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/Novel|Id=FOR11|HTFoR|Chapter=11}} For the early years of the war, Stanforth had ultimate control of the Spartan field operations.{{Ref/Reuse|universe}} 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/Book|Dr. Halsey's personal journal|Page=April 28, 2526}} 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 (2526)|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/Novel|Id=Oblivion|Oblv|Chapter=Epilogue}}

In [[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|universe}} 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/Anthology|Id=Cole6|Evo|The Impossible Life and the Possible Death of Preston J. Cole|Section=Six: The Covenant War: The Cole Campaigns (2525-2532 CE)}}

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/Book|Dr. Halsey's personal journal|Page=January 7, 2535}} In [[2549]], at Admiral Stanforth's insistence, the SPARTAN-II program was made public for morale purposes.{{Ref/Novel|HTFoR|Chapter=24}}

===Battle of Sigma Octanus IV===
{{Main|Battle of Sigma Octanus IV}}
By [[2552]], Vice Admiral Stanforth commanded [[CENTCOM Region 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/Novel|Id=FOR16|HTFoR|Chapter=16}} To aid in the defense of the planet, Stanforth had amassed the four dozen UNSC ships of [[Battle Group Leviathan]] in orbit over Sigma Octanus IV—including his [[flagship]] {{Class|Marathon|heavy cruiser}} {{UNSCShip|Leviathan}}, two [[UNSC carrier|carrier]]s, a [[refit station]], and numerous [[UNSC destroyer|destroyer]]s, and [[UNSC frigate|frigate]]s. 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/Reuse|FOR18}}

[[File:HFB-UNSCLeviathan.png|thumb|250px|Stanforth commanded the fleet at Sigma Octanus aboard UNSC ''Leviathan'', which he affectionately referred to as "Levi".]]
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/Novel|Id=FOR21|HTFoR|Chapter=21}}

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/Reuse|FOR21}} As the rest of the Covenant fleet retreated, Stanforth considered the battle a victory that would raise morale.{{Ref/Reuse|FOR18}} 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/Book|Dr. Halsey's personal journal|Page=July 18, 2552}}{{Ref/Book|Dr. Halsey's personal journal|Page=July 20, 2552}}

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/Generic|[[Data Drop]]s|Detail=Data Drop #2}} 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/Generic|Data Drops|Detail=Data Drop #3}}

===Fall of Reach===
{{Main|Fall of Reach}}
[[File:Stanforth Mem.jpg|250px|thumb|left|Vice Admiral Stanforth's ONI memorial plaque.]]
Stanforth ordered Keyes to return with him to Reach for debriefing.{{Ref/Novel|Id=FOR23|HTFoR|Chapter=23}} Stanforth returned to Epsilon Eridani on [[2552|August 1, 2552]] along with half of his [[battle group]] that was present at Sigma Octanus (with the rest left behind to fend off any future Covenant attacks there). 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/Generic|Id=dd4|Data Drops|Detail=Data Drop #4}}

Between his arrival at Reach on August 1 and the final fall of the planet on August 30, Stanforth and Battle Group Leviathan campaigned throughout the Epsilon Eridani system against the Covenant's [[Fleet of Valiant Prudence]], which was in the midst of a large-scale attack. 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/Tabletop|Id=fb4|HFB|Scenario=Scenario Four: Run!}} 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/Tabletop|Id=fb5|HFB|Scenario=Scenario Five: Into the fire}}

By August 12, the rest of Battle Group Leviathan (including UNSC ''Iroquis'') had returned to Reach for emergency repairs and refit, and restored to full capacity.{{Ref/Book|Dr. Halsey's personal journal|Page=August 12, 2552}} 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> Two days later on August 14, Stanforth led Battle Group Leviathan in [[Operation: LEFT JAB]], a mission which involved using his fleet to probe and overstretch the Fleet of Valiant Prudence, providing an opening for a simultaneous [[Operation: UPPER CUT]] conducted by the [[UNSC Army]]'s [[Special Warfare Group Three]].{{Ref/Tabletop|Id=fb6|HFB|Scenario=Scenario Six: Left Jab}} It is likely that exposing the Covenant fleet in this position was Stanforth's goal during his previous campaign at Site 17. During UPPER CUT, SpecWar Three destroyed the {{Pattern|Sh'wada|supercarrier}} ''[[Long Night of Solace]]'', which was later confirmed to Stanforth by [[Colonel]] [[Urban Holland]]. Stanforth was apparently unaware of this aspect of the plan, and later complained of SpecWar Three's "trigger happiness", lamenting that he could have used ''Long Night of Solace'' to conduct RED FLAG.{{Ref/Generic|Id=dd5|Data Drops|Detail=Data Drop #5}} 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/Reuse|dd5}} That day, Stanforth had Halsey brief the SPARTAN-IIs on Operation: RED FLAG.{{Ref/Novel|HTFoR|Chapter=26}}

On [[2552#August|August 30, 2552]], Stanforth backed Dr. Halsey's official protest that was sent to {{UNSCShip|Burden of Proof}} about [[James Ackerson|Colonel James Ackerson]]'s possible involvement with the sabotage of Halsey's field test with John-117 and [[Cortana]].{{Ref/Book|Dr. Halsey's personal journal|Page=August 30, 2552}} 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/Novel|HTFoR|Chapter=29}} The emergence of a massive combined armada of Covenant ships over Reach later that day meant that Stanforth, as with the rest of the UNSC forces in the system, went to work in fending off the Covenant attack. For his part, Stanforth led Battle Group Leviathan in an attack on the remnants of the Fleet of Valiant Prudence, which had been massing under Shipmaster [[Kantar 'Utaralee]] near Reach's moon [[Turul]].{{Ref/Tabletop|Id=fb8|HFB|Scenario=Scenario Eight: Rally Point Zulu}} 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|universe}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}{{Ref/Reuse|alph}}

===Legacy===
Shortly after his death at Reach, Stanforth (among many others) were honoured with a [[ONI memorial|new memorial]] built at the Office of Naval Intelligence's [[ONI Alpha Site (location)|Alpha Site]] in [[New Mombasa]], [[Earth]], with construction finished by October 20, 2552.{{Ref/Reuse|alph}} Into the [[Post-Covenant War conflicts|post-war era]], Stanforth's courage and imaginative tactics have remained a common point of reference for UNSC naval officers against the various new threats that humanity faces even in the wake of the Covenant's [[Great Schism|collapse]].{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
{{Clear}}

==Personality and traits==
[[File:TFoR AS - Stanforth.jpg|thumb|250px|Michael Stanforth in 2525.]]
Michael Stanforth was a competent fleet commander who did not fear leading the ships under his command from the front.{{Ref/Reuse|universe}} 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/Book|Id=Enc09|Enc09|Page=72}}{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc11|Enc11|Page=74}} 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/Reuse|FOR16}} 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}}

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.{{Ref/Reuse|fb29}} 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}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc09}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc11}} Stanforth suffered from "[[space walk]]" due to his long terms in microgravity.{{Ref/Reuse|FOR11}}

==In-game information==
===''Halo: Fleet Battles''===
Vice Admiral Michael Stanforth is available as a Fleet Commander in the ''[[Halo: Fleet Battles]]'' tabletop wargame. His leader portrait was done by then-[[343 Industries]] concept artist [[:Category:Images by Kory Lynn Hubbell|Kory Lynn Hubbell]].{{Ref/Site|URL=https://www.artstation.com/artwork/vice-admiral-michael-stanforth|Site=ArtStation|Page=Vice Admiral Michael Stanforth|D=27|M=02|Y=2025}} He was one of two commanders included in the initial launch of the game, alongside the Covenant's [[Supreme Commander]] [[Rho 'Barutamee]].
{| class="wikitable" style="width:70%;text-align:center"
|+ <sup>VICE ADMIRAL</sup><br>MICHAEL STANFORTH - 100 points
|-
| SPARTANS: 1 per full 1000 Points / 1VP KIA || Each Spartan costs +100 Points
|-
! Standard Orders !! Special Orders
|-
| 
;Focused Attack
:Cost: 1 Order Attack die
: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. 
|| 
;Prepare For Boarders!
:Cost: 2 Order Defense dice and 1 Order Command die
: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.
|-
| 
;Brace! Brace! Brace!
:Cost: 1 Order Defense die
: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.
| rowspan="2" | 
;Take It To Them!
:Cost: 3 Order Attack die
: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.
|-
| 
;Form Up!
:Cost: 1 Order Command die
: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.
|-
! colspan=2 | Unique Ability
|-
| colspan=2 | 
: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.
|}

==Production notes==
===Discrepancies===
====Name====
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 "