The Gene Vance Jr. Foundation was named in honor of Gene Arden Vance Jr. who was killed in action of a gunshot wound during an ambush by Taliban fighters on Saturday afternoon, 18th May, 2002 while taking part in Operation Mountain Lion with his unit, the 2nd battalion of the 19th Special Forces Unit, (Airborne). The operation’s mission was designed to locate, isolate and destroy Al Qaeda and Taliban fighters in Eastern Afghanistan in response to the attack on The United States of America that killed 2, 973 people on September 11, 2001.
Although critically wounded in the initial attack, Gene continued to translate battlefield intelligence for Afghan forces in the area, directing them out of danger. His calm actions and command of the situation saved the lives of two fellow Americans and as many as 18 Afghani soldiers, and helped to defeat the enemy ambush. For his actions, Staff Sergeant Vance earned the Bronze Star Medal with a "V" for valor in combat, the Purple Heart Medal and the West Virginia Distinguished Service Medal. Gene's awards and decorations also include the Legion of Merit, the Army Achievement Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with "M" Device, the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Parachutist Badge, the West Virginia State Service Ribbon and the West Virginia Distinguished Unit Award. After his death, Gene was awarded a bachelor of arts degree from West Virginia University.
Gene was recently married and had canceled his honeymoon plans so that he could serve his country on this critical national security mission. National Guard historians believe that Gene was the first National Guardsman killed in direct combat since World War II.
The Foundation was founded in 2005 by Gene’s brother in-law, Michael M.J. Minc, to honor his friend and pay tribute to all the brave souls who have and are willing to sacrifice their lives in the name of our nation’s freedom.
