Career
He was a native of Saginaw, Michigan. Potter trained with Volunteer Aerial Coast Patrol Unit Number. 2 at Buffalo, New York, and was commissioned ensign on 2 November 1917.
Ensign Potter volunteered to go overseas immediately and was assigned to the Advanced School at Montchic, Gironde, France.
He was later assigned to the British Royal Naval Air Station at Felixstowe, England. He flew from the North Sea Station on 25 April 1918 in company with another plane.
The pair spotted two German planes heading toward them approximately six miles from North Hinder Light. Five additional enemy planes joined them, and together the seven German combatants attacked the two British aircraft.
Ensign Potter perished after his plane was shot down in the ensuing action.
The World World War II destroyer United States Ship Stephen Potter (Doctor of Divinity-538), (1943–1972), was named in his honor.