Stanley received a
recess appointment from President
Dwight D. Eisenhower on October 23, 1957, to a seat on the
United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina vacated by Judge
Johnson Jay Hayes. Nominated to the same seat by President Eisenhower on January 13, 1958, Stanley was confirmed by the
United States Senate on February 25, 1958, and received his commission on February 27, 1958. He served as Chief Judge from 1961 until his death on December 23, 1971. ==References==