Initially assigned to the 493rd BG With the Roy Holtman crew, Stanley flew his first combat mission on D-Day, 6th June 1944. He went on to complete 12 combat missions before leaving the crew when the ball turrets were removed from the B-24's and crews were reduced from 10 men to nine. Transferred to the 15th AF and assigned to the 465th BG, 781st BS and later the 340th BG flying B-25's from the Adriatic, Italy. Stanley completed over 50 combat missions before returning home.

Flew on 'Connecicut Yankee'