Date of birth:

January 15th, 1918 (South Africa)

Date of death:

February 16th, 2018

Service number:

37948

Nationality:

South African

Stapleton joined the RAF in 1936 on a Short Service Commission. He quickly rose through the ranks, serving as a pilot and later commanding No. 14 Squadron during World War II. His daring leadership in Eritrea earned him the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC), notably for rescuing a downed crew by landing his aircraft under enemy fire.

Stapleton was instrumental in shaping RAF strategy during the Cold War and NATO integration. After retiring in 1968, he joined British Aircraft Corporation (BAC), managing operations in Libya, Iran, and China. He became Managing Director of Irano-British Dynamics Co. and later BAe Representative to Peking, also serving as Chairman of the British Cosmic Association.

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Rank:

Flying Officer

Unit:

No. 14 Squadron, Royal Air Force

Awarded on:

June 8th, 1939

Rank:

Flying Officer

Unit:

No. 14 Squadron, Royal Air Force

Awarded on:

September 15th, 1939

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Acting Squadron Leader

Unit:

No. 14 Squadron, Royal Air Force

Awarded on:

January 7th, 1941

"Squadron Leader Stapleton was the leader of two formations in a combined attack against a target in Eritrea. South of Massawa they were intercepted by enemy fighters and an engine of one of our aircraft was put out of action. The pilot endeavoured to escape but was followed by an enemy fighter and eventually forced to land in enemy territory. Squadron Leader Stapleton having shaken off the fighters, ordered the remainder of the second formation to join up with him and successfully attacked his alternative target. He then returned to the coast to search for the missing aircraft, which was sighted and observed to crash on landing. Squadron Leader Stapleton landed alongside, and waited while the crew set fire to their papers. He then emplaned the crew in his own aircraft, and flew back to base with the rest of the formation which had been circling overhead. Courageous leadership, skill and daring are characteristic of all this officer's operations against the enemy.”

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Acting Squadron Leader

Unit:

Air Ministry, British Government

Awarded on:

June 2nd, 1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Wing Commander

Unit:

War Cabinet, British Government

Awarded on:

January 1st, 1946

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Acting Group Captain

Awarded on:

January 1st, 1948

Rank:

Group Captain

Awarded on:

June 11th, 1960

• - SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 15 SEPTEMBER, 1939
  - THE LONDON GAZETTE, 7 JANUARY, 1941
  - SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 8 JUNE, 1939
  - SUPPLEMENT TO THE L0NDON GAZETTE, 1 JANUARY 1948
  - SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 8TH JUNE 1960