Juniata native James Vance was one of the few survivors on the destroyer USS Corry that sank during the D-Day invasion in 1944. He was in the ocean for a day and a half before he was rescued.

A proud veteran, he passed away in 2009 from mesothelioma, an aftereffect of serving in the Navy, Walter said.

His photo is now featured in the Lone Sailor display inside the museum. It coincides with the Lone Sailor statue found outside the building, commemorating soldiers who lost their lives at sea.

“If he didn’t survive and have that instinct, I wouldn’t be standing here right now,” Walter said.

Vance

Walter and her family didn’t know that Vance’s photo was displayed at the museum. She was brought to tears when she came upon the display and tried to explain to people around her that the photo was of her grandfather.

She also FaceTimed her mother, Jacalyn Walter, about 6 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time.

“She called and said, ‘I’m sorry for waking you up,’ and I said, ‘It’s worth waking me up to see that,'” Walter said.

The elder Walter said she was amazed and honored to see her father’s photo featured in the museum because he fought for freedom.

Walter also said she was proud of the Hollidaysburg Community Band representing America during the D-Day celebrations.

“That’s a trip they’ll never forget; a privilege for them,” she said.

Mirror Staff Writer Colette Costlow is at 814-946-7414.