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- Earl Vance was born January 13, 1896, in Washington, Indiana, the son of William and Jennie Jacobs Vance. He studied at Aberdeen Business School, graduating in 1916. In 1917 Vance entered the army, enrolling in Flight Training School. He was discharged in 1919 with the rank of second lieutenant. From 1919 until 1939 he was engaged in a variety of flying occupations, including barnstorming, running his own flying service, working as a commercial pilot for National Park Airways, and doing aerial mapping for the U.S. government. In 1940 he was recalled to active service as a captain and training officer. During World War II he served as base commander at Walla Walla, Washington; Topeka, Kansas; and Alexandria, Louisiana, earning the ranks of major and colonel. From 1943 to 1944 he was in charge of the Second Air Force's search and rescue section. Earl Vance died of a heart attack at the age of 48 on February 17, 1944, at Colorado Springs, Colorado.
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