Stanley William Tunall
Company C, 1/12th Cavalry
By Judy Tunall-Gray, his older sister
Stanley William Tunall was a native Angelino, born on 5 June 1945. His family called him “Tiny.” Others knew him as “Big Red.” Stan was an enthusiastic optimist who friends characterized as an easy-going young man with a big smile.
He began his parochial school education at All Saints Catholic School in El Sereno. When the Tunall family moved to South El Monte, his parents enrolled him in Nativity Parish School, from which he graduated in 1959. He followed one of his older sisters to Bishop Amat Memorial High School in La Puente, California. At Amat, he played football his freshman and sophomore years, was a member of the track team, in the Sodality and Science Clubs and served as Homeroom Vice President. He graduated from Bishop Amat with the Class of 1963.
Stan’s family lived during an era in Los Angeles County in the decade after World War II that no longer exists – a time when there were large tracts of land in the Eastern San Gabriel Valley that included dairy farms. Stan’s goal was to be a dairyman-rancher. For 9 years, from the age of 12, Stan was active in 4-H. He served as the Los Angeles County 4-H Camp Leader as well as the California State 4-H President. He began his Holstein dairy herd with a 10-month old calf at the beginning of his 4-H association and transformed it into a championship heard of over 30 prize-winning heifers and cows. At the annual Los Angeles County Fair in September, Stan and the state champions in his herd were a feature on local television. Future Amat Lancers who knew Stan in 4-H appreciated the hard-working, helpful example he set for them.
From Bishop Amat, Stan continued his education in the Agriculture Department at Mount San Antonio College located in the eastern San Gabriel Valley. He was there to hone his skills in his chosen profession.
The U.S. Army conscripted Stan in August, 1966. Stan proved to those with whom he served that he would be “… the best darn soldier they have.” Letters from his company mates and his Officers bear this out. He completed both Army Basic Training and Infantry Advanced Individual Training at Fort Polk, LA. He deployed overseas to Vietnam in early 1967. Stan’s assignment was as an Infantry Squad Leader in “C” Company, 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). His chain-of-command recommended him for, and the Army awarded him, two Bronze Star commendations for Valor during his tour of duty. He was a Purple Heart recipient in addition to earning other campaign medals and the Combat Infantry Badge. During one particular combat action, with his unit under heavy enemy fire, he stood his ground and called in airstrikes for his Platoon Leader. Sadly, SGT Stanley W. Tunall died in a tragic accident on 26 October 1967. Shortly following an airmobile return to the Platoon Base Camp after an exhausting mission, the M-16 of a fellow squadmate discharged during cleaning. The round from the rifle struck Stan, mortally wounding him.
As a visible indication of the admiration and respect the community had for Stan, both his Rosary and Funeral Mass were standing room only. Fr. (later Msgr.) Thomas Kiefer, Principal of Bishop Amat, attended his Rosary at St Mary’s Catholic Church in Whittier. Redemptorist Missionary Priest, Rev. Thomas Palmer officiated at the Rosary and celebrated the Funeral Mass at St Mary’s. The funeral cortege to Calvary Cemetery in East Los Angeles was miles long. People along the way stopped at attention. Men took off their hats and saluted. Women and children stood with hands over their hearts. At the cemetery, strangers came and stood silently on the hillside during the ceremony. In death, as in life, that big red-headed kid just brought people to him.