Vancel served as a Private, 322nd Fighter Control Squadron, U.S. Army Air Force during World War II.

He resided in Tarrant County, Texas prior to the war.

Vancel was a passenger on the HMT Rohna.

The Rohna and four other troop ships left Oran in French Algeria with cargo and troops. Off Béjaïa, Algeria the convoy was attacked by an estimated 60 German Luftwaffe Heinkel 177's. One of the 177's, piloted by Hans Dochtermann, released a glide bomb that hit Rohna on her port side and she eventually sank.

1,138 men were killed, including 1,015 U.S. personnel. The attack is the largest loss of US troops at sea due to enemy action in a single incident. 35 U.S. troops of the 2,000 originally embarked later died of wounds.

Vancel was "Killed In Action" in this sinking during the war.

He was awarded the Purple Heart.

Service # 38433270

His remains were one of the few recovered!

( Bio by: Russ Pickett )

Vancel served as a Private, 322nd Fighter Control Squadron, U.S. Army Air Force during World War II.

He resided in Tarrant County, Texas prior to the war.

Vancel was a passenger on the HMT Rohna.

The Rohna and four other troop ships left Oran in French Algeria with cargo and troops. Off Béjaïa, Algeria the convoy was attacked by an estimated 60 German Luftwaffe Heinkel 177's. One of the 177's, piloted by Hans Dochtermann, released a glide bomb that hit Rohna on her port side and she eventually sank.

1,138 men were killed, including 1,015 U.S. personnel. The attack is the largest loss of US troops at sea due to enemy action in a single incident. 35 U.S. troops of the 2,000 originally embarked later died of wounds.

Vancel was "Killed In Action" in this sinking during the war.

He was awarded the Purple Heart.

Service # 38433270

His remains were one of the few recovered!

( Bio by: Russ Pickett )