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Facts about Joseph Williams Vance Jr.
Donated by Willa Vance Lowry. Joseph Vance's, sister.
I have tried to put these pages into chronological order.
These pictures have not been seen since July 16, 1943.
Most pictures were taken by 'Litterst Com'l Photo Co., Quality Service, Houston, Texas July 16, 1943.
Anyone knowing anything of this company please notify
Webmaster
Willa's photo 1 2 3 4 5 6 Crew Photos The Bridge
WVL26
Christening with champagne bottle by Mrs. Joseph W Vance. Picture #13
Left to right -- Willa Vance (sister-maid of honor); Mrs. Joseph W. Vance (mother-sponsor)
Caption lower left --
U.S.S. VANCE (DE387)
CHRISTENING OF THE VESSEL
BROWN SHIPBUILDING, HOUSTON, TEXAS
NO. 29 ~ 16 - JULY - 1943
Caption lower right --
OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPH NOT TO BE RELEASED FOR PUBLICATION
SUPERVISOR OF SHIPBUILDING, U.S.N
HOUSTON, TEXAS
WVL27
Picture of a War Bond Drive
WVL28
The first time she hit the water.
Caption lower left --
U.S.S. VANCE (DE387)
CHRISTENING OF THE VESSEL
BROWN SHIPBUILDING, HOUSTON, TEXAS
NO. 30 ~ 16 - JULY - 1943
Caption lower right --
OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPH NOT TO BE RELEASED FOR PUBLICATION
SUPERVISOR OF SHIPBUILDING, U.S.N
HOUSTON, TEXAS
WVL29
In the water
WVL30
War Bond Drive
HONOR TO HEROES
Every citizen of Memphis and Shelby County who looks upon the two pictures above will experience a feeling of pride that both of these destroyer escorts, U.S.S. Cates and U.S.S. Vance, have been named for fellow Memphians who so bravely gave their lives in outstanding service in the call of duty.
When we measure our own home front support of our nation's all-out war effort against the supreme sacrifice that many of our own fighting men have made and will make, we are inspired with renewed determination to do more and more each day that passes. Whether the bravery of our sons is recognized by the naming of ships of the fleet or by citations and awards, we must remember that such honors are only attained by conspicuous service to the nation. No one will dispute the fact that all honor is due our heroes who face fire and smoke of the battlefield... the booming guns of enemy fleets... the ear-splitting din of enemy fighters and flak. For the scene of action is where final victory will be won and here on the home front our responsibility necessarily increases with each expanding beachhead. For every foot that out men advance, the need for War Bond dollars becomes more urgent.
A practical way that we can further honor our heroes is to back them up with every dollar that's needed to supply them with planes, guns, ships, tanks and other equipment for victorious warfare against our enemies, Essential weapons in the hands of fighting soldiers are far better than monuments to honor their memory after they have become victims of 'too little, too late'.
Honor to our heroes ... our own brave sons from Memphis and Shelby County, together with their millions of fighting brothers-in-arms from all over the land, are winning richly deserved honor. But let us remember that we can best honor our fighting men at the front by showing them that the folks at home are backing them up with solid support... and there's no support more urgent that our steady and generous investment of every possible dollar in War Bonds and Stamps.
MESSAGE IS CONTRIBUTED BY PLOUGH, INC., AND
SUBSIDIARIES IN BEHALF OF THE SALE OF WAR BONDS AND
STAMPS
Upper left: U.S.S Cates, named after William Finnie
Cates, formerly of 1057 Cummings, who died at his
post manning his gun.
Lower right: U.S.S. Vance, the Navy's tribute to
Lt. Joseph W. Vance, 895 North Avalon, another
Memphian who was killed in action aboard his ship.
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