<p>
The assignment to write an article in memory of the deceased was almost declined because of the possibility that his true worth might be underestimated. He was a loyal friend and neighbor of mine and his record of service to his country is outstanding. His pastor said of him, "Colonel Stansell as a Christian walked humbly with his Lord." </p>
<div>
He was the son of Rosa Seymour and Clinton Brown Stansell. He is survived by his sister. Miss Mary Stansell, of Elko, S.C. He attended the public school of his hometown, and the University of South Carolina. While there he was appointed to West Point by James F. Byrnes, then a congressman from South Carolina. He graduated with a bachelor of science degree. He attended Yale University 1931-1932, receiving a master of science degree in communications engineering. He distinguished himself as a student at West Point, graduating with honors and, after graduation, he served as a member of the faculty and was a mathematics instructor.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
During the war overseas in the Philippines, he was General Jonathan M. Wainwright’s signal officer, and it was during that performance of duties on Bataan that he was captured and carried into Manchuria where, for three years, he suffered the hardships of prison life. As an example of his privations, "General Wainwright’s Story" by Robert Considine, says this:</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
“On Christmas morning 1941, a tank officer came past my skeletonized headquarters and gave us a Christmas present. It was a can of beans. Our little force, including Colonels Frank Nelson and Josh Stansell, split it up. It was Christmas breakfast, lunch and dinner, and was mightily appreciated.”</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Before his retirement, Colonel Stansell served as assistant commandant of the Signal Corps School at Fort Monmouth, N.J. He was a true patriot and a man of remarkable intellect. He was a student of governmental and political affairs, and kept abreast of current events.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Many incidents in his life have imperishable qualities and among these are so many, many experiences had during his enlistment. This from the Legion of Merit citation:</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
“For exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service in the Southwest Pacific Area. By his exemplary conduct and conspicuous competence, Colonel Stansell fully upheld the finest traditions of the service.”</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<em>The Fort Monmouth Press</em> gave an account of the awarding of the Silver Star to Colonel Stansell by General Jerry V. Mateka. The award, ordered by General Jonathan Wainwright, is as follows:</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
“When a special and elaborate signal network became necessary for the difficult operations in the Quinauan Point area involving radio, telephone, and signal flares to coordinate Infantry, Artillery and Naval activities over very difficult jungle terrain...successfully integrated this special signal network, frequently going through hostile rifle and machine gun fire and through areas known to be occupicd by enemy snipers, without regard for his own personal safety, in order to locate and repair breaks in the telephone wires and to keep the operations in clearing the enemy from Quinauan Point and vicinity.”</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
These comments are from a United Press report from Frank Hewlett in the Philippines, dated 4 April 1942, telling of the work of the Signal Corps.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
“Good-natured Colonel Joshua Stansell of Elko, S.C., is their commander. He’s an amazing character and a great producer of results. When the war started he was the lone Signal Corps officer for the Northern Luzon forces. He worked all day stringing lines, then spent the biggest part of the night decoding radio messages for General Wainwright.”</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
He was always gentle, kind, and helpful. He was loved by the men under him, for he was lovable. They showed this in many ways. When he was packing to go for service in Manila the cadets at West Point surprised him by giving a banquet honoring him and gave him a very fine watch. This was the only thing he carried with him that he brought back from prison camp. Later, after the fearful Death March, and two unspeakably cruel prisons, orders came for all to walk miles to a ship for Manchuria. Josh was so emaciated and weak he could not walk. Some of the stronger men put their arms around him and carried him to the ship. In the fearful cold and privations of Manchuria the “beloved colonel” gathered his almost-crazy men around him and taught them, not from books, but from his great mental storehouse of knowledge. He taught them history, great literature, and his specialty—mathematics. This act of loving service probably saved the mentality of many prisoners. He became their helper and their companion.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
To Josh Stansell, being a good citizen was much more than a creed; it was something to be worked at, not now and then, but all the time. As a soldier he was rich in wisdom and experience, and youthful in spirit, with memories of the past, his eyes on the present, and his hopes for the future. With this viewpoint in mind, one recalls the familiar lines from Robert Browning:</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
“Grow old along with me; the best is yet to be;</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
The last of life, for which the first was made.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Our times are in His hand who saith, ‘A whole I planned;</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Youth shows but half; trust God; see all, nor be afraid.’ ”</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<em>—Horace J. Crouch</em></div>
<div>
<em> Supt. of Education, Barnwell County, S.C.</em></div>