83rd Division Booklet

Sgt Vernon H. Vance

Sergeant
Vernon H. Vance

Sergeant Vernon H. Vance

Vernon Herbert Vance was born on June 3, 1925, in Worth, Missouri, to May Ollie Lily Shannon (1894–1975) and Henry David Vance (1883–1967).

Vernon Herbert Vance enlisted in the Army on January 15, 1944, in Fort Levenworth, Kansas. The Morning Report of Company G, 331st Infantry Regiment from August 19, 1944 lists Vernon Vance as assigned and joined from the 53th replacement Battalion. At that time, Company G was in the vicinity of Dinard, Brittany, France.

After his service in World War II he stayed with the military and would go on to see combat in Korea. He was enlisted as Sergeant First Class serving in Company A, 1st BG, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division Division. He was seriously wounded in action on October 17, 1951 by artillery fire while the 24th Division was operating in the Kumwha region, North Korea.

Following the end of the Korean War Vernon Vance continued his military career. While stationed in Germany in 1959 he unexpectedly passed away on 28 March 1959, following a heart attack. Master Sergeant Vance was only 33 years old and had served his country for 15 years, surviving two wars. For his service he was awarded, among other decorations, the Combat Infantryman's Badge, the Bronze Star Medal and the Purple Heart Medal.