| Comments : My father, Edward Brodhead, served on the USS Vance in 1945 - I believe only during its Pacific service. He was a Yeoman 1st class (entered the Coast Guard as a Yeoman 3rd class.) He died recently - Sept. 24, 2007 at the age of 89. We were looking at his discharge papers and I found the Vance mentioned (he had had Alzheimer's for a few years so we couldn't ask him anymore about the war.) I would just love to see any photos that might include him; he was not on the Vance terribly long - he had mostly been on the East coast, often on stations on Long Island. He did not have terribly fond memories of Hawaii but did have a soft spot for the Royal Hawaiian, which was turned over to the military during the war. I was lucky enough to go there several times when I visited a few years ago. Of course what he hated was that there was never any evening liberty for the men in Honolulu! But I'm sure he enjoyed swimming on Waikiki, at least. I will try to scan a good photo I have of him in his uniform. My uncle Daniel Brodhead was also in the Coast Guard during WW II - although four years younger, he died almost 20 years ago. It's sad to see more of that generation going - especially when we didn't always get to hear their stories; my dad was characteristic of many who didn't say much. He had brothers-in-law who had been part of D-Day and I think he thought his duty had been very uneventful in comparison. Judy Brodhead |