Eugene Stoner was an American firearms designer best known for creating the AR-15 rifle and the M16 rifle, which became standard issue for the U.S. military during the Vietnam War. Born on November 22, 1922, in the state of Pennsylvania, he had a significant impact on modern military firearms design. Stoner's innovative designs emphasized lightweight materials and modularity, which allowed for greater versatility in military applications. His work laid the foundation for many modern rifles and influenced firearm design worldwide. Stoner passed away on April 24, 1997, leaving a lasting legacy in the field of firearms engineering.