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| Carl Donald Stancil sitting on the front porch of the family home in Raleigh, NC. 1952 |
Carl Donald STANCIL devoted his life
to three things: God, Country, Family. He loved us in that order.
In his
devotion to his country, Daddy served in the United States Marine Corps for 20
years. He enlisted June 30, 1947, just one day after his 17th birthday. He
retired from the Marines 20 years later on May 29, 1967.
In his 20 years, daddy served all over the world including
Guam, Cuba, Japan, Puerto Rico, Korea, Lebanon, and Vietnam.
On April
25, 1951, he was seriously wounded in Korea at the Battle of Pork Chop Hill. He
took a piece of shrapnel to his head leaving a scar which ran from his eye brow
to his ear. He participated in campaigns in Wonson, Hungnam, and Choisin. He
told us stories of the bitter cold and the hellish heat of Korea.
When asked
about the necessary killing of other men in war, his
response was “It was kill or be killed. If I didn’t kill them, I’d never see my family again and I wasn’t about to let anyone stand in the way of that.” Such was his devotion to his family.
response was “It was kill or be killed. If I didn’t kill them, I’d never see my family again and I wasn’t about to let anyone stand in the way of that.” Such was his devotion to his family.
Some of Daddy’s favorite sayings included “Once a Marine,
Always a Marine”, “Send in the Marines”, and “Tell that to the Marines”.
He also used to say “nobody ever drowned in sweat” and “Marines go
where others fear to tread”. His favorite saying when watching the
evening news was “The Marines invade and then go home. The Army has to do
the occupying."
To the very end, Daddy maintained a “high and tight” haircut
and “spit-shined” his shoes. When I went away to college, instead of living in a
dorm and eating in a cafeteria, he thought I lived in a “barracks” and ate
in the “mess hall”. Truly, once a Marine, always a Marine.
After retiring from the Marines, Daddy continued to serve
his country for another 20 years as a civil servant. He was willing to
give his life for freedom and democracy. He proved his loyalty to his
country every single day he served – whether he was proudly
wearing the uniform of the USMC or serving via
civil service.
For a man born in the depths of the depression to a poor
working class family, Daddy distinguished himself in many ways having
little to do with money or social prestige. He served his country proudly
and fiercely for over 40 years. His belief in God was firm and unwavering. Mama
used to say that every time the doors opened to First Christian Church in
Jacksonville, NC, Daddy would be there. His love of family is clearly
evidenced not only by the letters he wrote to his beloved mother, wife,
brothers and sister, but by the legacy of love and pride he left behind.
The story goes…that Daddy so wanted to be a Marine that he
fibbed about his age and joined the Marine Corps in 1946 at age 16. The Corps
discovered his “secret” while still in boot camp and not so politely invited
him to return to civilian life. On June 30, 1947, just one day after turning
the (then) legal age of 17, he was able to enlist in the Marine Corps with his
parent’s permission.
The story also goes…that Daddy was very touched by the many
Korean war orphans he encountered during the war. He returned from the war and
convinced Mama to adopt two Korean boys. At the time, they were stationed
in Hawaii, not yet a state. The adoption was nearly complete and Daddy was
prepared to travel to Seoul to pick up the boys when suddenly the
adoption plans were halted. Mama had discovered that she was pregnant with me,
and at that time adoption rules prevented expectant parents from adopting. Were
it not for poor timing, I could have had two brothers!
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| In Macedonia where Paul preached. Daddy is the Marine to the right. |
