Harold Lloyd Stancil | May 7, 1924-Oct. 13, 1944

Harold Lloyd Stancil

Born May 7, 1924

Died Oct. 13, 1944

Harold Lloyd Stancil

Harold Lloyd Stancil was born May 7, 1924, Johnston County, NC and died Oct. 13, 1944, on the USS Franklin, South Pacific.

Harold Lloyd Stancil was buried at sea in the Pacific after his death on the USS Franklin during World War II.

Family archives

Harold Lloyd Stancil with brother GI.

Family archives

Harold was the youngest son of Eva and George Ira 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.

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 that day nearly 80 years ago—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.

Purple Heart Recipient page

Harold Lloyd Stancil's navy uniform on display at the Tobacco Farm Life Museum in Johnston County, NC. Family photo

Letter from Harold Lloyd Stancil to mother Eva

May 28, 1944

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

Oct. 23, 1944 -- WILSON SAILOR KILLED IN PACIFIC WAR AREA

Family photo

Aviation Machinist Harold L. Stancil Dies in Action

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.

Harold Lloyd Stancil's death notice in The News & Observer.

Family archives

— Renn Stancil Hinton, daughter of George Ralph Stancil