Mr. Stafford was born on December 23, 1924. He volunteered for the service on September 8, 1943, and was sent to Camp Grueben, Oklahoma for his basic training. On June 1, 1944, he was sent overseas where he became an automatic rifleman in Company E in the Raider Regiment of the 47th Infantry.

He was wounded in combat on October 7 or 14, 1944. He returned to his unit, but was killed in action on November 24, 1944. His chaplain wrote his parents that he died immediately and without pain, and that he fought heroically with courage, never failing his comrades. His body was buried with full military honors in Belgium. In addition to his Combat Infantry Badge, he received the Purple Heart.

He wrote his mother to tell her that the wound was not serious, and that he wanted to send her the purple heart. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. J.W. Stafford, of Pheba, survived him. Sadly, his parents received his purple heart in mid December 1944, after Mr. Stafford's death.