First Lieutenant Stanton was a decorated veteran of World War II. In Korea, he was an aerial observer with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 24th Infantry Division. His L-5 observation aircraft was shot down while on a reconnaissance mission over enemy lines in North Korea on 16 October 1950. He survived an earlier shoot down by a Russian YAK fighter.

For his leadership and valor, First Lieutenant Stanton was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Bronze Star Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Air Medal with 11 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation, the Republic of Korea War Service Medal and the World War II Victory Medal.

Honors

In 1961, Camp Stanton in Korea was named in his honor.