Memorial

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Stanley Larson was nicknamed "Mike" by a group of construction workers whom he liked to watch when he was a child. The name stuck to the point that only his family called him Stanley.

He attended Rochelle High School where he was a great student and leader. He served as student body president and was a member of the National Honor Society. He played tennis, basketball, football and ran track as well as playing in the school band. He was selected by his team mates to have his name placed on the Hackett Trophy for basketball in his senior year. He also received the trophy for the highest percentage of free throws made by members of the team.

He enlisted on 6 July 1943 in Rochelle, Illinois and was sent overseas on 27 September 1944.

At first he was reported missing in action on 18 December 1944 but the Department of War corrected this date to 16 December 1944.

On 1 June 2001 his remains were recovered by two Belgians who were part of a MIA project. On 22 July 2002 he was returned to his family and buried in what used to be an empty grave at Lawnridge Cemetery.

His mother wrote a poem when he departed on 22 July 1944. It reads:

"You said that morning as you stood there
All dressed and ready to go "Mother, it´s going to be years before I return to you".