Stanley was born in Philadelphia, PA. He was the oldest of 5 children. He had a twin brother who also seved in the Army. Stanley moved with his family to Atlantic City. He was a baker's helper before entering the Army where he was a cook. He served in Central Europe, Normandy, Northern France, and Rhineland. He received the American Service Medal, the American Defense Service Medal, the Bronze Star, the European-African-Middle Eastern Service Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal. After WWII, he returned to Atlantic City where he worked as a union painter and in the summer sold ice cream on the beach. This was a job reserved for veterans.