| Comments : Hello and thank you for having this online. My father served on the Vance during
WW 2 and I am interested in learning about the De his was on during the war.
Hi Charles, hope you found a photo or two of your dad. You didn't say what state you are in. However, in
Galveston, Texas the DE, USS Stewart is berthed. This is the ONLY DE in the country that is like it was
in WWII. She is also the same class as Vance.
I've met many of the DE guys and all are a great bunch of guys.
Thanks for signing the log and I will get it posted soon. Joe Good Evening Mr. Betters, Thank you very much for sending your email. I was not expecting any reply when I signed the guest book, so getting your email is greatly appreciated. I live in Maine, I teach at Southern Maine Community College, painting and drawing and have been living here for a half dozen years or so. There is a Coast Guard Memorial in South Portland and every time I see it, which is pretty much everyday I teach, I cannot help but to think of my father. I can see the bow of the memorial from my office window. According to what I remember from the stories my father told, which were limited, they used to come into port in Portland, Maine frequently during the war. In fact it is because of him that I came to Maine for college, Portland School of Art, way back in the early 80's. He hunted here after the war in Blue Hill, which is up near Acadia National Park and brought the family here for summer vacations in the early 60s. I would love to visit the USS Stewart when I make it to Galveston. I just remembered that he used to tell us about shipping into Galveston. Am I mistaken that the Vance was launched from Galveston? I swear he told me that but memories are not as accurate as one might think. As for visiting the Vance website, I am trying to get a better idea of what he, and the rest of the crew, had to go through. I can only remember a few times when he actually talked to me about these experiences. I remember him telling me that the Vance shipped out in a group of 6 DE's and that 3 were lost escorting convoys to Europe and Northern Africa. Simply put, there is so much that I do not know about my father's experiences and all I am trying to do is get a better understanding of this. I know that I will be visiting the site more often and again I greatly appreciate any information that is available. I do have a question or 2. The first one is, do you accept photos that family members of the crew of the Vance have to be posted on the Vance site? My mother has a few of my dad which were taken on the Vance during the war. I would like to do then have these posted if it is possible. The 2nd is, me just desiring a little guidance in finding things like crew rosters and shipping orders for the Vance. Would you have the proper contacts to find this information? My father passed away, November of 2006. He really didn't like talking about what he, and everyone else went through. In fact, before he passed he let me know his desire to remain as quiet as possible about all of it. I do respect this, but I also would like for him to be properly acknowledged on the Vance site, if possible. 2 simple requests, but I know how things get complicated quickly. Any guidance you can offer will be greatly appreciated. Thank you very much for your email. I hope you are starting your week off wonderfully as I look forward to hearing from you in the future. Sincerely, Charles R. Ott Jr |