Vance Meinecke was born January 6, 1926 in Herkimer, Ks the son of Emil and Frieda Meinecke. He attended Herkimer Public Grad School then graduated from Marysville High School. He enlisted in the Army Air Corp when he was 17 years old and was drafted on his 18th birthday. Vance attended Army training camp in Jefferson Barracks, MO then he attended college in Springfield, MO where he completed education and Army Training. He flew the PT-19 at primary training camp then flew the BT-13 at basic training camp and the AT-6 at advanced training Camp. He was ready to graduate when World War II ended and was told he could go home. Courtesy of the American Legion, Marysville, KS