Samuel Richard Vaughan

By zthanson, 7 December, 2022
First Name
Samuel
Middle Name
Richard
Last Name
Vaughan
Birthdate
Hometown
St. George, South Carolina
Rank
Major
Service Branch
Air Force
Date Captured
Date Repatriated
Pre Capture Image
Man in decorated U.S. Air Force uniform.
PreCapture Description

Dick Vaughan enlisted in the U.S. Air Force Reserve on September 25, 1969. He entered Officer Training School at Lackland AFB, Texas, on December 4, 1969, and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force on April 2, 1970. Lieutenant Vaughan next completed Undergraduate Navigator Training and was awarded his navigator wings at Mather AFB, California, in January 1971, followed by Weapon Systems Officer (WSO) training and F-4 Phantom II Combat Crew Training at George AFB, California, from January to September 1971. He served as an F-4D WSO with the 555th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Udorn Royal Thai AFB, Thailand, from October 1971 until he was forced to eject over North Vietnam and was taken as a Prisoner of War on December 18, 1971.

Post Release Image
Man in glasses and blue button down shirt in front of banner with American flag on it.
Post Release Description

Lieutenant  Vaughan was released during Operation Homecoming on March 28, 1973. He was briefly hospitalized to recover from his injuries at Maxwell AFB, Alabama, and then entered Undergraduate Pilot Training at Moody AFB, Georgia, in December 1973, earning his pilot wings in July 1975. Captain Vaughan next served as a CT-39 Sabreliner pilot with Detachment 1 of the 1402nd Military Airlift Squadron at Langley AFB, Virginia, from July 1975 to June 1978, followed by service as an A-10 Thunderbolt II pilot with the 354th Tactical Fighter Wing at Myrtle Beach AFB, South Carolina, from June 1978 to December 1980. Major Vaughan served as a T-38 Talon instructor pilot with the 88th Flying Training Squadron at Sheppard AFB, Texas, from December 1980 to November 1983, and then as an F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot and as Chief of Safety with the 50th Tactical Fighter Wing at Hahn AB, West Germany, from November 1983 to December 1986. His final assignment was with the 507th Tactical Air Control Wing at Shaw AFB, South Carolina, from December 1986 until his retirement from the Air Force on September 1, 1991.

Honors, Citations, and Commendations
  • Distinguished Flying Cross
  • Bronze Star
  • Prisoner of War Medal
Passed away before release
Post Release