When the 7,933-ton Zebulon Vance left Le Havre on May 7 with 369 G.I. brides and 57 children, a port commander said the ship was "in excellent condition." Two physical checkups had certified that the G.I. babies were in "good health." Since the Zebulon Vance was sailing 40 under capacity, there were hopes of a reasonably comfortable crossing. After many a tearful Gallic farewell, the brides settled down to what should have been the happiest voyage of their lives.
Thirteen days later the Vance docked at New York, a ship of sickness and tragedy....
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