Stiles B. Gaffney entered the military service in Pennsylvania. He served in the US Army as a Second Lieutenant during World War II. Stiles died on September 30, 1944 and is now buried in the Florence American Cemetery, Impruneta, Italy. A member of the 2nd Battalion, 350th Infantry Regiment, his unit was cited for outstanding performance of duty in action during the period 27 September to 3 October 1944 at Mt. Battaglia, Italy against German forces. For seven days, amidst powerful counterattacks, the men of the battalion repulsed each attack with fighting ability and teamwork, therefore, their objective was accomplished.