Blue Mountain Eagle
Sept. 1997:
"Cpl. Dallas Vancil died Jan. 13, 1945, on the island of Leyte. He was part of Gen. Douglas McArthur's attempt to retake the Philippines. His mother, Rosa Vancil, was informed of his death by a wire from the War Department. He was 30. Vancil was born in Athena (Oregon) on July 29, 1914. He attended Canyon City Elementary School. He lived in Canyon City (Grant County, Oregon) until he enlisted in July 1942. Before landing on Leyte Island Vancil had been involved in the New Guinea operations. He had been in the service for almost three years."

Dallas Franklin Vancil

Dallas was the first of Will and Rosa Vancil's thirteen children to be born out of Milton Freewater. Dallas was born July 29, 1915 in Athena, Oregon.

Dallas was killed on Leyte Island in the Phillipines during a battle in WW II. He was rather the loner of the family and not much is known of his short 27 year life. He married Vetta Mae Kimbol Oct. 22, 1932 and after having four children, Virgil Lewis, Billie Dewayne, Viola Verdene and Earl Evan, they were divorced. Dallas remarried and had one more son, Daryl Lynn.

Dallas was on furlough when Daryl was born in Feb. 1944 seeing his family for what would be the last time.

The Government sent him out on orders. The family at home was kept in the dark as to his location. One year after seeing his family, his mother Rosa received a letter from the Army stating Dallas was killed Jan. 14, 1945 in combat. He now lies in a Portland Veterans cemetery.

Shirleen Vancil Bailey:
Dallas was moved to Portland Oregon Lincoln Memorial with a cross and his name on it sometime in the early 50's. In the Vets plot Section 6, 1 1 row, Grave #259.

Contributor:
steve s (47126287) Correction to cause of his death:
"Technician Fourth Grade Dallas F. Vancil (S/N 42046419, Headquarters and Service Company, 153rd Engineer Construction Battalion) was murdered on the night of 13 January 1945 in Leyte, Philippines (A.P.O. #72) by Private Lester C. Cline (S/N 39095398) then Technician Fifth Grade, also a member of Headquarters and Service Company, 153rd Engineer Construction Battalion. They were tent mates and had been friends but on the evening of the 25th of December 1944, got into an argument and a fight over some liquor. "They apparently settled their differences and were again friendly." Two and a half weeks later, another argument ensued that lasted on and off throughout the day. Threats were made. That evening Tec/4 Dallas F. Vancil was shot eight times with a .30 caliber rifle and killed. Both were "under the influence". Private Cline was court-martialed and convicted of voluntary manslaughter in Vancil's death. He was given a dishonorable discharge, total forfeitures and sentenced to 10 years of hard labor in the United States Penitentiary, McNeil Island, Washington.