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1st Lt James C. Stapler Jr. graduated from Seminole High Schoolin 1937.
He joined the National Guard in November 1940. After he was commissioned at Fort Benning, Georgia, he served as an infantry instructor at Fort Leonard Wood. He was sent overseas in October 1944.

Lt Stapler was awarded the Bronze Star Medal posthumously for actions on 27 December 1944. The citation cited: For heroic achievement in connection with military operations against the enemy 27 December 1944, in Belgium. The first mission after Lt Stapler assumed command of Co. C was to advance the lines 700 yards to the front. Heavy fire from enemy elements on the flanks made it necessary to bring up reinforcement. As he was leading a support platoon forward he was wounded in the leg but refused to be evacuated and continued to direct the fighting although faced by a maneuvering enemy armed with automatic weapons. Realizing the dangers involved, he voluntarily remained to cover the withdrawal of his company.