major Pat St. Clair of Mt. Morris, Greene County, PA who took part in the raid of the Sơn Tây prison camp in North Vietnam in 1970 in an attempt to rescue some 61 American prisoners of war. On September 11, 2022, the 20th anniversary of SSG Vance’s death, the last American flag to fly over Camp Vance, a longtime Special Forces HQ in Bagram during the war in Afghanistan, was presented to Jamie L. Vance-Minc and Michael M.J. Minc, Vance’s sister and brother in-law, by the U.S. 10th Special Forces Group, Airborne on the 21st Anniversary of 9/11. The American flag that flew in honor of Vance at the military base that carried his name for two decades, traveled over 8,000 miles from Bagram to Fort Carson and was presented to Vance’s family by Lieutenant Colonel Matt Chaney, who was the former commander of the 3rd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) in Afghanistan the year Camp Vance was closed. The flag and Vance’s legacy were to be honored on September 10, 2022, at West Virginia University, Vance’s alma mater, as part of the events surrounding the historic West Virginia vs Kansas College football homecoming match. Due to family circumstances the presentation took place in a private ceremony. Awards and decorations Legion of Merit Bronze Star with "V" Device (2nd award) Purple Heart Army Achievement Medal (for his role in San Francisco's 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake) Good Conduct Medal (2nd Award) Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal National Defense Service Medal Armed Forces Reserve Medal with “M” Device Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon Army Service Ribbon Overseas Service Ribbon Parachutist Badge West Virginia Distinguished Service Medal West Virginia State Service Ribbon West Virginia Distinguished Unit Award References Works cited External links NSA memorial Archived Bio at USASOC Archived Tribute letter from 46th U.S. President, Joe R. Biden Jr. Official memorial WEBSITE: Gene Vance Jr. Foundation United States Army non-commissioned officers 1963 births 2002 deaths Military personnel from Morgantown, West Virginia United States Army personnel of the Iraq War United States Army reservists West Virginia National Guard personnel American military personnel killed in the Iraq War