Educated at King Edward VI School in Totnes, Stapleton joined the Royal Air Force in 1936.
[4] He was promoted to the acting rank of flight lieutenant on 2 March 1939,[5] and was decorated with the Air Force Cross (AFC) in the 1939 Birthday Honours list.
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.
Courageous leadership, skill and daring are characteristic of all this officer's operations against the enemy.Stapleton was mentioned in despatches in 1943,[9] and promoted to temporary wing commander on 1 January 1944.
[11] On 1 September 1945, he was granted a permanent commission in the RAF, with the substantive rank of squadron leader (seniority from 1 June 1944).
[14][15] As an acting group captain, Stapleton was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire, Military Division (CBE) in the 1948 New Year Honours list.