Hospitalman Stafford was attached to Company B, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division. His unit was guarding a South Korean Supply Depot near Kojo, North Korea when it came under attack. He was listed as Missing in Action while tending his wounded comrades on 27 October 1950. He was presumed dead on 31 March 1954. His remains were not recovered. His name is inscribed on the Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial.

For his leadership and valor, Hospitalman Stafford was awarded the Silver Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.