In Memory of

Navy Lieutenant Junior Grade

William George Mance

Sturgis, South Dakota

Meade County

February 18, 1923 – April 1, 1945

Killed in Action at Okinawa, Ryukyu Island

William “Bill” George Mance was born February 18, 1923, at Lead, Lawrence County, South Dakota, to Arthur and Elsie Mance. He had three sisters, Margaret, Shirley, and Donna Belle, who was killed in a car accident at 16. Bill was raised by his paternal grandparents, William and Ella Mance. He graduated from Sturgis High School in 1941. Bill was “well known for his outstanding football and basketball performances,” according to the Rapid City Journal.

**On July 21, 1941, Bill joined the Navy; he and six other boys shipped out from Deadwood, and he entered active service on July 25, 1941, at Great Lakes, Illinois. According to the paper, he first “ served in Panama and the West Indies.” His sister, Margaret, recalls that Bill always knew he wanted to fly. With recommendations from his Presbyterian minister, Rev. C.D. Erskine, and from a SD senator and representative, Bill was one step closer to his dream. He went on to get his basic flight training and a bachelor’s degree from Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Mance received his wings and commission at Corpus Christi, Texas. While stationed nearby, he wrote “This navy program is a long tough grind and a man just has to grin and bear it. I’ve only 2 or 3 weeks of flying left to do but if this weather keeps up Lord knows when I will get out.” After graduation, Bill was home on a brief furlough in the spring of 1944, at which time it was announced that he would be assigned to the South Pacific. Lt. Mance shipped out first to Hawaii for more flight training and then “his home from Sept., 1944 until his death was a navy carrier where he was a fighter pilot with the rank of Ensign.” **

In January of 1945, Lt. Mance wrote home to Rev. Erskine. Some of his letter is reproduced here:

We have been out here for about three months now. Have covered quite a bit of

** this ocean since then too. Our squadron was very fortunate to get placed on what **

** we think is the best little flat-top in the Pacific theater. She has seen some action **

up to date. The food is pretty good compared to the way some of the island based

boys live. I share a 15’ by 12’ room with one other fellow. All in all it is very good…

I haven’t met anyone from home out here yet. I know there are some here but this

** is a big ocean. I’ll keep looking. I wish you all a very Happy New Year and hope **

** ever so much that we can all be back with you again… **

According to his sister, Margaret, Bill kept a log book “of his training flights and then his combat flights and battles as he went with the Navy to take back the Islands they had lost earlier in the War. He went from south of the Philippines, Guam, all of the Philippine Islands, Iwo Jima, and finally Okinawa.”

On Easter morning, April 1, 1945, Lt. William Mance was shot down during the invasion of Okinawa. His commanding officer wrote in a letter to Bill’s family: “The loss of your grandson is felt deeply by me and by the entire squadron. He was a fine officer and an excellent pilot, his enthusiasm and courage were an inspiration to us all. His plane crashed on Okinawa Island on April 1, 1945, while on a combat mission. His death was instantaneous and he suffered no pain.” He went on to say, “His body was recovered by the First Marine Division and buried in the First Marine Division cemetery on Okinawa island….The date of his death and his full name appear on the grave marker.”

**After the war, in 1948, word was received that the cemetery where Bill was buried at Okinawa would be closed. The family was faced with the choice of having Bill’s body reburied at the National Cemetery in Hawaii or having him returned home. His sister, Margaret, said, “Of course the choice was to bring him home. A ceremony was held and he was the second person buried in the Black Hills National Cemetery.” **

**Lt. William Mance’s awards included the Air Medal, a Purple Heart, and the Distinguished Flying Cross. In addition, he was awarded the Bronze Star **

for distinguishing himself by heroic and meritorious conduct while serving on board the

Escort Carrier, U.S.S. Hoggatt Bay, during operations against the enemy in the Luzon

(Lingayen-Manila) Campaign, Philippine Islands. When a bomb explosion occurred on

board this vessel on January 15, 1945, Ensign Mance, without regard to his own safety,

immediately entered the burning and flooded area and directed the rescue of his wounded

shipmates and personally carried many of the casualties to battle dressing stations. His

conduct throughout distinguished him among those performing duties of the same

character.

This entry was respectfully submitted by Sheila Hansen, *Fallen Sons *State Coordinator, Spearfish, SD. Information for this entry was provided by Margaret Mance Martin, sister, an application for a SD veteran’s bonus payment, the *Rapid City Journal, *6/12/43, 7/21/44, 4/24/45, 5/29/45 issues, and the *Sturgis Tribune, *including* *1/4/45 and 5/31/45 issues.

Title Page - South Dakota State Library

William George Mance (1923)