On 5 June 1944, Col. Vance was the command pilot on the 44th BG's B-24' Missori Sue' for this his second mission in the ETO. The plane was severely damaged by flak, Vance's right foot was shot off, but he was so intent on getting the rest of the crew off the plane, he didn't notice it until he was in the channel! With all engines out he stayed with the plane thinking there was still one crew member on board (there was not) and he ended up ditching in the English channel. A Medal of Honor was awarded for his astonishing valour and bravery for his staying with the plane to try and save the crewman. After recuperations in England he was evacuating to the states in TWA C-54A 42-107470 on 1 July 1944 when the plane disappeared with 17 people aboard. It was never recovered.



A command pilot with the 489th BG Col. Vance was flying with 66 Sqdn lead crew on a pre-D-Day raid on the French coast when the plane was subject to a severe bombardment and the pilot Captain Louis Mazure was killed instantly when a piece of shrapnel struck him on the temple. Almost simultaneously Colonel Vance had his left foot severed above the ankle and four other crew members were wounded to varying degrees. The nose of the plane was shattered, fuel leaking everywhere and - when the co-pilot 2nd Lt. Earl Carper took the controls - found they had lost all power. Col. Vance - in spite of his wound - took the co-pilot's position and the plane in a glide managed to reach land. Vance ordered the crew to bail out then turned back out to sea and ditched the plane. He was thrown clear and reportedly swam for three miles with the use of only one leg before being picked up. Sadly the hospital transport plane taking him back to the USA was lost; his widow received his Medal of Honour.



Awards: MOH, AM (3OLC), EAME (1 x Battle Star), PH.