FACTS ABOUT VANCE FACTS3
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FACTS ABOUT VANCE
DE 387 Destroyer Escort
WDE 487 Coast Guard Destroyer Escort
DER 387 Destroyer Escort Radar Picket

Facts 1 2  3  4 5 6 7 8 9

These 9 pages encompass USS Vance 1943 - 1985
The following information is taken from
Dictionary of American Fighting Ships Vol. VII (1981)
and contributed by John Johnson
On 2 May 1945, Vance departed New York with her last Mediterranean-bound convoy. On the morning of 11 May -- four days after Germany had surrendered -- Vance sighted a light up ahead in the convoy and rang down full speed to investigate. Upon closing the light, the destroyer escort discovered a surfaced Uboat, U-873, which had been at sea for 50 days. While the submarine began to run, Vance hailed the erstwhile enemy in German by bullhorn, ordering the submariners to heave to. Vance placed a prize crew on board the captured U-boat who delivered the prize at Portsmouth, N.H., on the 16th.  

Vance then underwent alterations to her antiaircraft armament and soon got underway for the Pacific. However, she arrived too late to participate in anything but training operations and returned to the east coast for decommissioning. In mid-October 1945, she underwent a pre-deactivation availability before proceeding south to Green Cove Springs, Fla. On 27 February 1946, Vance was decommissioned and placed in reserve.  

Vance was recommissioned as Coast Guard Cutter WDE-487. This ship served in the Pacific from 1952 to 1954 and was decommissioned at San Diego. 
(note: I believe Vance as a WDE was omitted from the time line because of being a Coast Guard Cutter. Joe)  

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