on 2 may 1945, "vance" departed new york with its last mediterranean-bound convoy. on the morning of 11 may, four days after germany had surrendered, "vance" sighted a light up ahead in the convoy and rang down full speed to investigate. upon closing on the light, the destroyer escort discovered a surfaced u-boat, , which had been at sea for 50 days. when the submarine began to run, "vance" hailed the erstwhile enemy in german by bullhorn, ordering them to heave to. "vance" placed a prize crew on board the u-boat who sailed it to portsmouth, new hampshire, on 16 may.