Corporal Bankston was a medic with the Medical Company, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. He became ill with Jaundice (Weil's disease), taken to the 121 Evacuation Hospital and died on 1 August 1951.

Bankston was awarded the Combat Medical Badge, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Korean War Service Medal.