Nance took part in combat operations that occurred after the 1983 Beirut barracks bombings, was peripherally involved with the 1986 United States bombing of Libya, served on USS "Wainwright" during Operation Praying Mantis and was aboard during the sinking of the Iranian missile boat "Joshan", served on USS "Tripoli" during the Gulf War, and assisted during a Banja Luka, Bosnia air strike.