Homer Spence’s name will grace a banner in downtown Manteca next month.

It is the same downtown where as a Manteca High student he may have stopped by The Creamery for a milkshake on the way home.
Why this matters is because we owe the Homer Spences who have fallen on distant soil our gratitude in preserving our freedoms.

Spence’s name is among 66 Manteca area men who died in five wars — World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War and the Global War on Terror.

All 66 names are on 40 banners that will be displayed on light posts in downtown throughout May.

It’s part of the Avenue of the Heroes that was launched last year.

The intent is to display them every May as a reminder that our freedom isn’t free.

As such, the hope is they will never be forgotten.

Spence wasn’t the first to die in World War II. That was Kenneth Grisham.

Nor was he the last.

He was, however the last to come home.

Spence was 22 when he died.

The Manteca High graduate spent two years at Modesto Junior College before joining the Air Corps.  He was assigned to the 96th Fighter Squadron, of the 82nd Fighter Group.

U.S. Army Air Corps pilot 1st Lt. Homer Spence was flying as a spotter for a bomber squadron.

He was returning to his base when a wingman reported seeing him slump over his wheel flying over Austria and then fall out of formation crashing in a heavily wooded area of Italy.

Spence’s P-38 fighter plane crashed during World War II in the Italian Alps in July of 1944.

 The wreckage was found in 2010.  Spence’s remains were identified using DNA analysis.

Spence was returned home to Manteca in November of 2017.

He was buried with full military honors at Park View Cemetery.

Manteca lost 34 men during World War II. They were Americus Bettencourt, Anthony Blanco, James H. Blankenship, George R. Calloway, James R. Connors, Bertram F. Daviner, Fred D. Ettle, Walter F. Gibson  Jr., Kenneth Grisham, Leslie Harding, Donald R. Hanson, Frederick Hesser-Farrer, Francis R. Jackson Jr., Harold C. Jensen, Lauren E. Littlefield, John R. Machado, Clifford Malyon  Jr., Frank Martin, , Seraphine S. Mederos, Carl A. Petersen, Viggo V. Petersen,  Joseph A. Pfister  Jr.,  Angelo A. Ponzio, Donald V. Rieger, George R. Shaffer, Dale Sizemore, Rhys Smith, Homer A. Spence, Delos Stetler, Everett L. Turnbull,  Roy Warner, James H. Weeks, Cyril J. Whisman, and William B. Winchester.

Their names are on a plaque at Manteca’s memorial to the fallen on the front entrance plaza to the Manteca Library by the flag pole off Center Street.

They were part of the 971 names that Manteca listed on a large sign that graced what is now the eastern facing wall of the Manteca Bedquarters along Main Street where the various war murals are now placed.

Names were added to the sign as Mantecans went off to serve. The sign stayed in place until the 1950s. The names are also included on a permanent display at the American Legion Post 249 hall on East Yosemite Avenue.

The fallen from the Manteca area in World War I were Hope McFall, Earl Woodward, and James Joseph Chio.

The Korean War fallen were Gordon Thompson, Alvin R. Mendes, Billy Freeman, Clarence Avila, Clarence McNames, Louis Gomes, and John C. martin.

Those falling in the Vietnam War were Brock Elliott, Charles White, Fredrick Lopez, William McJimsey, David Gore, Jesse Rodriguez, Carol Borgen, Jospeh Tafoya, Robert Davenport. Joseph A. Lewis Jr., Bruce Sours, Larry Motley, Jack Landers, James Lowry, W. Grant Uhis, William Morgan, and Gale Butcher.

The Global War on Terror fallen were Charles Palmer II and Michael W. Vegas.

“Avenue of Our Heroes was created for our families and friends in our community,” said Ron Cruz, a Vietnam veteran, who played an instrumental role in making the banner endeavor happen.

“It has always been my hope and prayer that the banners would draw folks to the veterans murals location (at Main Street and Yosemite Avenue) so that  area could become a place of healing for those who need it,” Cruz said.

The Manteca City Council last year proclaimed that the month of May will be known as “The Month to Honor and Remember” the men of our community who gave all

There are 40 banners placed on Yosemite Avenue and on Main Street. Each one has a photo on each side with the name and war.

There are 66 names of the fallen plus recognition banners of our military branches, VFW Post 6311 and American Legion Post 249, as well as  the official proclamation information.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com