VAUGHAN, SAMUEL R.

RIP  08/17/2023

Name: Samuel R. Vaughan
Rank/Branch: O2/United States Air Force
Unit: 555TFS
Date of Birth: 15 October 1945
Home City of Record: St George SC
Date of Loss: 19 December 1971 (Returnee says 18 December 1971)
Country of Loss: North Vietnam
Loss Coordinates: 200900N 1042700E
Status (in 1973): Returnee
Category:
Aircraft/Vehicle/Ground: F4d
Missions: 48 1/2
Other Personnel in Incident: LTC Kenneth Johnson, returnee, pilot

Source: Compiled by P.O.W. NETWORK from one or more of the following: raw data from U.S. Government agency sources, correspondence with POW/MIA families, published sources, personal interviews.  2023

v016.jpg (17734 bytes)
1998


Dick  - center, 2018

REMARKS: 730328 RELEASED BY DRV

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After his release, Samuel R. "Dick" Vaughan was awarded the Distinguished
Flying Cross, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters,
Air Force Commendation Medal with 1 OLC, MSW with 1 OLC and the POW medal.
Reflecting on his time away from home and his family, he says he took long
hours re-evaluating his priorities in life. He states the, "worst day of
freedom better than best day as POW." He also says, " take time to enjoy the
little things in life."

Vaughan retired from the United States Air Force as a Major in 1990. Dick's
marriage was one of the things he looked long and hard at while in captivty.
He divorced after returning home, and eventually remarried. He and his wife
Gale lives in South Carolina where they have 2 children and 3 grandchildren.
He is a math teacher at the County School, and enjoys hunting, fishing,
gardening and woodworking.

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08/17/2023

After many years of deteriorating health, Dick Vaughan made his final "Take Off" while in Hospice Care in Summerville, SC. Funeral arrangements are not yet known.    BA

 

08/18/2023

Just found out from Gale Vaughan's sister - Dickie's service is Saturday, 26 August 2023. 
 

Visitation @ 1000, service @ 1100 at Harleyville Cemetery. 291-299 South Railroad Avenue, Harleyville, South Carolina.  RM

 

More info:  http://veterantributes.org/TributeDetail.php?recordID=1836