SPC Brian "Scotty" Ulbrich

US ARMY - 38 years old

May 19th is the anniversary of the passing of SSG. Gene Arden “Buddy” Vance Jr ,38, US Army of Morgantown, WV. He was born November 30, 1963, in Frankfort Germany. Let us honor him, his family, and his mother June Steele Vance of NC.

Staff Sergeant Gene A. Vance, Jr. was killed in action on May 19 2002 while on patrol during Operation Mountain Lion near Kandahar, Afghanistan.

SSG Vance enlisted in the Army in 1983 and trained as a Communications Systems Circuit Controller. He joined the Army Reserve in 1992 as a Supply Specialist in the 646th Quartermaster Company, Kingwood, West Virginia. In October 1992, He transferred to 2nd Battalion, 19th Special Forces Group, Camp Dawson, West Virginia, as a Persian-Farsi language trained communicator. In 2001, his unit was placed on active duty and deployed to Afghanistan.

At the time of his death, SSG Vance was serving in the Support Company, 2nd Battalion, 19th Special Forces Group, in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. Despite being critically wounded, saved the lives of two fellow Americans and 18 Afghani soldiers.

Sgt Vance was the first National Guardsman to be killed in direct action since Vietnam and the first West Virginia guardsman to die in battle since World War II.

“He was a quiet man, a dedicated soldier who was willing to sacrifice his life for freedom, “said Maj. Gen. Allen Tackett, adjutant general for the West Virginia National Guard. “He paid the ultimate price so his family can live in a free world.” Tackett said Vance’s death serves to remind West Virginians that the National Guard is on the front lines in both military actions and natural disasters.

Gene's family carried a long tradition of military service. His great uncles, William "Bittle" Steele and Clarence "Buck" England, served in World War II in the Army's 4th Infantry Division, U.S. Army , Bravo Company. Gene's father, Gene Arden Vance Sr., was a captain in the USSOCOM as part of the #LRRP (Long-Range Reconnaissance Patrol) and became a major in the Army before retiring in the late 1970s. Gene Jr. also had two uncles, William Edward Vance and James Ray Vance, who spent their careers in the military, as did his brother David, a non-commissioned officer with the 101st Airborne, who served two tours of duty in Iraq.

Gene was a mountain bike shop manager and co-owner. Each year a memorial bike ride takes place in Morgantown WV named in his honor. 

Gene is survived by his wife, Lisa Selmon Vance, his daughter Amber, and his mother, June Carrol Steele, sister, Jamie Vance-Minc; and brother William David Vance.

Let us remember him, his family, and….

Say His Name

#neverforget

#SayTheirNames

#GoldStarMothers

#goldstarfamilies

#rememberthefallen

#army

#nationalguard

#fallenheroes

#goldstarbridgeride

#specialforces