Courtesy Stancil Family Reunion Archive
Harold was the youngest son of George Ira and Eva Mercer Stancil.
After seeing "Wings of the Navy" in 1939 with first cousin Glenn Stancil (Alvin Branch), Harold decided he wanted to join the Navy. Eva signed for him to join on July 15, 1941, he was just 17 years old.
Older brother G.I. had joined on Dec. 10, 1940. Harold always referred to Bill Batts as the "Annapolis Kid." He entertained Bill and Jim by pretending they were dive-bombers and moving them rapidly about to their delight.
By Dec. 4, 1943, Harold was stationed at U.S. Naval Training Station in Newport, Rhode Island, assigned to the USS Franklin.
Beginning on Jan. 31, 1944, the USS Franklin cruised to the Pacific through the Panama Canal.
Courtesy Stancil Family Reunion Archive
The USS Franklin, an Essex-class aircraft carrier, played a crucial role in the war effort. On Jan. 31, 1944, she set sail through the Panama Canal, bound for the theater of conflict.
But fate intervened on Oct. 13, 1944. The USS Franklin faced the horrors of war when a Japanese plane crashed onto her flight deck. Amid the chaos, Aviation Machinist's Mate First Class Stancil lost his life. His name now graces the Tablets of the Missing at the Manila American Cemetery in the Philippines—a solemn tribute to his sacrifice.
Harold was buried at sea, the vast ocean becoming his final resting place. For his unwavering dedication and courage, he posthumously earned the Purple Heart.
He has markers in Manila American Cemetery in Philippines and in Holly Springs Free Will Baptist Cemetery, Kenly, NC.
Service Honors
Courtesy Stancil Family Reunion Archive
Letter from Eva Stancil to her Son, Harold - July 10, 1944
(Handwritten - click the links below to view the original images)
Transcription:
MRS. G. I. STANCIL
ROUTE 3
KENLY, N. C.
Kenly N C
July 10 1944
Dear Harold my sweet baby boy I love
you so much and I could [not] endur
if you want to marry her or anybody
else I should love them to. I hope you
have good luck and come back home
after the war is over and I shall be
disappointed if you dont come back I
am praying for you to come back and
be with us all again. O what fun it
would be to have all children together
it more pleasant to me than you can [ever]
think about. I been to see Miss Sines
mother did she is getting along fine.
Grandaddy is mighty feeble dont work all
time sometimes he has to lie down
at once and dont eat very much has
poor blood. you just dont know how
much fun the children are having
Harold dont get out of hart about
coming back home I told you the warte
would go away and they did. I have said
other thing and it come to pass and
I hope this will to. I want the Lord to watch
over you and the angles to gard over
you and keep you threw this warte
and no harm to ever come near you
and you can come back just as good
and helthy as you went away I feel like
Jesus will take care of you but after
all prepare your self to meet him.
It wont be a mistak all I have to
live for is all my children. I
love you all you all seem so nice
and sweet to me we have been wanting
but we address them wrong so you did not
get them I am sorry we have made such
a mistake. love Mother
Letter from Harold Lloyd Stancil to his Mother, Eva - May 28, 1944
(Typed letter)
My Dearest Mother and family,
I am now in San Diego and have been with G. I. several times.
It sure is a miracle that he and I should get to see each other so often and too I think so much of him. We sent Bea and Bill a telegram last week-end that we were together again. Oh boy did we have fun.
Went out to see Bill Stancil and his family they sure were nice to us and I couldn't help but feel at home.
Mother this may be the last chance I will get to write you a long letter and tell you just how things stand. I will be pulling out soon and things are up for the duration. The main reason being that carriers will be used until the final attack on Japan. A lot of us will never come back and my chances are as small as any ones. I think it will be a couple of years at least.
Always remember mother that I went willingly and with fear of never seeing you and the family again plus my country of which I love with all my heart. I feel that some day I will come back but what condition only God knows.
I would like all the family to know how I feel and when the war is over if I do or don't come back you will be proud of me. This is my ambition. It isn't that I am afraid to go mother, my fear is that I will never see my family again.
Your Loving Son,
Chick
Credit: Ty Hinton
WILSON SAILOR KILLED IN PACIFIC WAR AREA
Aviation Machinist Harold L. Stancil Dies in Action
WILSON - The fifth man in the area to have been reported killed in action this month, AMM Harold Lloyd Stancil, 1-c of Kenly, Route 2, son of Mrs. G. I. Stancil and the late Mr. Stancil, was reported killed in action in the Pacific area by the Navy Department today.
Young Stancil was 20 years old and had been in the service for three years. He was a first class petty officer.
He is survived by his mother and 11 brothers and sisters, including T. E. Stancil of Wilmington, Ralph of Ocala, Fla., G. I. Stancil in the Navy at Jacksonville, Fla., Mrs. J.N. Stancil of Rocky Mount, Mrs. J. R. Renfrow of Kenly, Route 2, Mrs. J. C. Hales of Kenly, Mrs. J. G. Renfrow of Lucama, Route 2, Mrs. Eddie Carraway of Farmville, Mrs. Grover Eason of Selma, Mrs. Robert E. Dennison of Hempstead, N.Y. and Mrs. W. H. (Bill) Batts of Wilson.
— Renn Stancil Hinton, daughter of George Ralph Stancil