Arland Stanton
49th Fighter Group, 7th Fighter Squadron
P-40 Warhawk Pilot

Background
Arland Stanton was born August 30, 1919 in Scranton, Pennsylvania. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps on January 18, 1941 at Binghamton, NY and completed his flight training at Foster Field, TX on March 7, 1942 and was initially assigned as a flight instructor and had a total of 420 hours before his assignment to the 49th Fighter Group on July 6, 1942.

First Combat Tour
During his first combat tour, he was based at 17 Mile Drome (Durand) near Port Moresby he joined the 7th Fighter Squadron flying P-40K Warhawks including P-40K-1 "Patsy Ruth" 42-46292. Afterwards, he was assigned P-40N "Empty Saddle / Keystone Kathleen" 42-105513. On November 30, 1942 during his first air combat, he claimed a Zero over Buna. He was next based at Dobodura Airfield and later Gusap Airfield.

Second Combat Tour
During his second combat tour, he claimed another Zero shot down on February 6, 1943. Next on May 14, 1943 he claimed a G4M1 Betty and on December 10, 1943 a Ki-43 Oscar. He claimed his fifth victory against a Zero [sic Oscar] over Muschu Island on February 6, 1944, making him an ace. On March 8, 1944 he claimed Ki-43 Oscar. On March 12, 1944 he claimed another Ki-43 Oscar. Flying from Hollandia Airfield, he made his final claim on May 7, 1944 against a Zero over Biak. In total, Stanton claimed eight aerial victories. He was awarded the the Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Air Medal with seven Oak Leaf Clusters.

Postwar
Stanton remained in the U.S. Air Force and served in the Korean War. Stanton achieved the rank of Lt. Colonel before retiring in October 1961. Stanton died of a heart attack on July 4, 1987.

Memorials
Stanton is buried at Rose Hill Cemetery in Hallstead, PA.

References
NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Arland Stanton
7th Fighter Squadron Reunion Organization - Arland Stanton
Military Times - Arland Stanton Silver Star Citation
Army Air Force Victories page 112 Arland Stanton
49th Fighter Group: Aces of the Pacific page 36, 85, 91, 97
FindAGrave - LTC Arland Stanton

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