Vietnam War
Honoring the Stancil Family Veterans
Gregory Hale Stancil
Dec. 13, 1949 - Jan. 5, 1969
A devoted son, husband, father, and Marine whose life was cut short in the service of his country.
Service Snapshot
Branch: United States Marine Corps
Rank at Loss: Private (E-1)
MOS: 1371 — Combat Engineer
Unit: A Company, 1st Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division
Service Years: 1967=1969
Vietnam Tour: Began Feb. 29, 1968
Home of Record: Arlington, Virginia
Family Background
Gregory Hale Stancil was born on December 13, 1949, in Johnston County, North Carolina, the son of Joseph Downing Stancil and Jeanne Godwin Stancil. He grew up between Pine Level and Arlington, Virginia, surrounded by family, school, church, and community.
For a full biography of Gregory's early life, family, and personal story, visit his Family Biography Page.
Military Service
Gregory enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on May 11, 1967. He completed basic training at Parris Island, South Carolina, where he graduated in the top ten of his class — a testament to his determination and discipline. He later trained at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and Camp Pendleton, California, before being deployed overseas.
As a Combat Engineer (MOS 1371), Gregory served with A Company, 1st Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division, and with Headquarters Battalion of the same division. Combat engineers performed some of the most dangerous work in Vietnam — clearing obstacles, building and repairing defenses, and supporting infantry operations under fire.
Final Action
Gregory began his tour in Vietnam on Feb. 29, 1968. On Jan. 5, 1969, during operations in Quang Nam Province, South Vietnam, he was wounded by hostile small-arms fire. He died of his wounds several hours later at the age of nineteen. His remains were recovered, and he was brought home to be laid to rest.
Gregory is buried at Oliver & Godwin Cemetery near Pine Level, North Carolina. His sacrifice is recorded on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., on Panel 35W, Line 040.
Service Honors
Legacy & Remembrance
Gregory's life bridged Pine Level and Arlington, family and service, youth and responsibility. Though his years were few, his impact endures — in the memories of those who knew and loved him, in the family who carries his name, and in the record of his service preserved on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
A remembrance posted by Robert Sage notes that Gregory rests at Oliver & Godwin Cemetery in Pine Level, North Carolina, and honors him with the simple affirmation: "We remember."
His story is part of the larger Stancil family history, and this page stands as a small attempt to ensure that his name, his service, and his sacrifice are not forgotten.
Vietnam Veterans Memorial: Panel 35W, Line 040
Place of Burial: Oliver & Godwin Cemetery, Pine Level, North Carolina