Fabius Maximus Stanly (15 December 1815 – 5 December 1882) was a rear admiral of the United States Navy, who served during the Mexican and Civil Wars. Stanly was born on 15 December 1815 in New Bern, North Carolina. He was appointed midshipman on 20 December 1831. He was promoted to lieutenant on 8 September 1841. During the Mexican War, he was assigned to the Pacific Squadron and participated in the capture of California and the defense of San Francisco. He also took part in several land raids and, on one occasion, led a party of 30 sailors on a cannon-spiking raid in the midst of 1,500 enemy troops. He completed his mission successfully, returning to the boats with all his wounded and some prisoners to boot.