Stanley Emanuel Ridderhof (June 23, 1896 – December 13, 1962) was a highly decorated naval aviator of the United States Marine Corps with the rank of brigadier general.

However United States' entry into World War I changed his plans and Ridderhof dropped the college in summer 1917 and enlisted as private in the Marine Corps.

[1] During the following years, he served with the various aviation units and received letter of commendation for dropping supplies from a plane to three marooned civilians during a flood in the Richmond, Virginia area in 1924.

[1] His official Navy Cross citation reads: The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to First Lieutenant Stanley F. Ridderhof (MCSN: 0-827), United States Marine Corps, for distinguished service in the line of his profession during continuous active service in the Northern area of Nicaragua from 1 April 1928 until 30 June 1929.

On one occasion he led his patrol deep into unexplored territory, capturing and destroying an enemy supply dump containing food and clothing sufficient for one hundred men for one year, thereby inflicting heavy material damages on the bandits.

[1][9] He was appointed commanding officer of Personnel Group at the Marine Corps Base, West Coast at Kearney-Mesa in March 1943 and served in this capacity until the beginning of October 1943.

Ridderhof served in this capacity until October 1943, when he was appointed chief of staff, Marine Air, West Coast under Brigadier General William J. Wallace.

[1][10] Ridderhof was ordered back to the Pacific area in June 1944 and succeeded his tactical school classmate, William L. McKittrick as chief of staff, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing.

[3][1][12] Following the end of the War, Ridderhof returned to the United States and became assistant to the Commanding General, Marine Air, West Coast in San Diego.

He served again under Brigadier General William J. Wallace and subsequently assumed command of Marine Corps Air Station El Toro near Irvine, California.

Brigadier General Stanley E. Ridderhof died on December 13, 1962, in Newport Beach, California, and was buried with full military honors at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego together with his wife Dorothy Mercer Marot.