Stan was an old soul the first time we met at a place called Dak To, Vietnam. Dak To, scene to some of the bloodiest and most dangerous battles of the entire war. He was only a very few years older than me but his presence was much larger. Stan was an Army Aviator like me, but a first Lieutenant not a Warrant Officer as I was. We flew together occasionally until he was assigned to fly the Brigade Commander, a General, and then we flew together every day along with our great crew chief Walter Tanaka. Since I was a more senior pilot than Stan--I was near the end of my tour and Stan was just beginning his--I had to feel him out. It was something all the pilots did with newer pilots. You had to see if we could trust them not to kill us while flying. Flying is pretty unforgiving. The smallest mistakes can mean the end of your career, or worse, your life. Flying in combat, as we did many hours each day and night, is so much worse. You have to depend on skill, tactics, bravery and heart. Stan had this in abundance.

Not one single pilot, crew member, maintenance or support staff held more respect than Stan. This for the entire history of the Casper Platoon. Stan stayed in Vietnam for so long, first as a pilot and then as our commander and pilot, that no Casper touched as many lives as Stan.

I left Vietnam before Stan became our commander. As each of us did we returned home, either to stay in the military or to rejoin civilian life, and put the war behind us. We were certainly not welcomed when we returned home. For each of us, including Stan, the war left a profound and indelible stain on our lives.

I did not see Stan again until the July fourth weekend of 2003 in Orlando Florida at the Casper Platoon's second reunion. Stan arrived with Clint, I believe, his young son. I brought my young son, Skyler, who was just 13 then. Stan was overwhelmed by the outpouring of love, respect and honor his former crews and subordinates showed him. We crowded in on him as if he were a celebrity or royalty. To us, Stan was more than this. It was such an uplifting time being with Stan again, I will never forget that time.

Over the next decade and a half, I got to spend a lot more time at our reunions with Stan. As he opened up, Stan felt that he had not been fair to his platoon. He told me on many occasions, he wished that he had put us all in for a lot more medals. While commanding us, Stan took our heroism as part of our Job. When we were called, Stan knew his men would come. No hesitation. Ready to lay down our lives for each other and for the men we supported in the 173d Airborne Brigade. We were just doing our job. When we talked, Stan told me that the flying in combat we did was unheralded. Now he regretted not seeing us receive medals that other units showered on their pilots and crew. I know this haunted him. I suspect to his last breath. He would say to me every year at our reunion, "Greene, we saw some shit, didn't we." We did Stan and there is no person I would rather have been with in that time than you, Stan. 

Stan
I just found out
You cane into my life and I’m glad you did
You were my competitor and we became dear friends, you always had a fire in your eye, passionate person and you loved your friends, I will always think of you and I thank you for all our talks you are a great man and I will always keep you in my thoughts your boys will carry on your legacy
I love you Stan
Your friend Eddie Boyle

Stan was brave, witty and wise. He often spoke of his children and grandchildren with great pride. It was a privilege to have spent time with him.

"There are far, far better things ahead than any left behind"

C.S. Lewis

I was introduced to Stan at a ballgame his grandson Jackson and my son Travis were playing. From the first words we spoke to each other I immediately new he was a man of distinction. Being a veteran myself we shared some stories and always had a word or two with each other at the boys ballgames. Although not knowing you for a long time I absolutely know you will be missed.
Continue the mission, Stan. Airborne All The Way!

Stan was such a lovely man with a sunny disposition. Anytime I saw him he was making jokes and grinning ear to ear. Thank you for making the world a brighter and more humorous place for my family and I. What a loss. My condolences to the entire family.

Stan had a great influence in my professional career. He contracted me, as a young engineer in the late 80's, to explore some ideas he had for his trucks. Shortly thereafter I left my job and started consulting full time. Stan and I designed a computerized system for his trucks and together got a patent for it, which he proudly displayed in his office for years. We continued working together for many years, always with great respect for each other and good humor about our personality differences. We then went separate ways, but the system survived and evolved in many ways and it is still in use today. A testament to his vision. Rest in peace Stan.

I was fortunate to have served under him in Vietnam in 1968-1969 as a crew chief . I Flew many a time with Him .He was fearless on any mission and we went for some hell of a rides most especially Medevac. What an Honor it was to have served under him !!!!!! So my prayers are with you and will have masses said for him in his honor. Spec.5 Bruce Neva

No one could ask for a better friend than Stan. He never said "I can't", and usually offered help long before you would ever consider asking for it.

Stan achieved things anyone would be proud of, and made sacrifices most of us would never have the courage to make. I won't soon forget his t-shirt collection, as every shirt he wore made you grin. I'll wear my "I don't give a rat's a**" shirt with pride and do my best to be more like Stan every single day.

Rest in heaven my friend. Blessed to have known you.

You will be missed General! We looked forward to seeing you on the Holidays and hearing your colorful stories. You are definitely one of a kind! God Bless!
Who’s going to carve the turkey’s?

Stan, You were a great friend and I'll always remember your warmth and kindness. It's hard to pay tribute when the grief is so raw, but you were larger than life and you made an impact on my life that'll stick around for a really long while.

I will miss you Stan. I’ll miss you at Tuesday lunch. I’ll miss those great dinners and conversations that we had. You had a great life but I’m sorry to see it end this soon. That’s just me being selfish. Bon voyage.