Army Staff Sergeant Stanley William Armentrout was born on September 13, 1948, in Durbin, West Virginia. His parents were Stanley Richard Armentrout and Audrey Vance Armentrout. He had three brothers and one sister: David Edwin, Ronnie Neil, Randy Eric, and Cherie Lynn.
Although Stanley was born in Pocahontas County, West Virginia, at some point in his childhood, his family moved to Rittman in Medina County, Ohio. Shortly after his graduation from Rittman High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. He was assigned to E Company, 1st Battalion, 11th Infantry, 5th Infantry Division. Stanley William's military service carried on a family tradition; his father had served in the Army from 1946-1947.
On June 22, 1968, Stanley William Armentrout was united in marriage with Linda Sue Rosenberg. His military records note he was of the Baptist faith.
As a specialist 4, Stanley began his tour of duty in Vietnam on July 23, 1968. On November 16, he was killed in Quang Tri Province in South Vietnam. In January 1968 Quang Tri had been the center of a major battle. Later that year Sgt. Armentrout was the victim of an explosion of an enemy land mine. Ironically, his death occurred at a time when serious attempts were being made to curtail U.S. involvement in the conflict.
For his service and sacrifice, Sgt. Stanley W. Armentrout was awarded a Bronze Star, the Combat Infantry Badge, a Purple Heart, the National Defense Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, and the Vietnam Campaign Medal. |
Sgt. Armentrout's remains were recovered, and he was laid to rest in Soldiers Circle, Rittman Cemetery, Rittman, Ohio. |
Sgt. William Stanley Armentrout is listed on Panel 39, Line 72, on the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C. He was further honored by the renaming of the VFW Post in Rittman, Ohio, as the "Stanley W. Armentrout Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1610."
Biography submitted Stanley W. Armentrout's cousin, Leon Armentrout.
West Virginia Archives and History welcomes any additional information that can be provided about these veterans, including photographs, family names, letters and other relevant personal history.