| Sergeant first class Thomas Franklin Vaughns | |
|---|---|
| Born | July 12, 1920 |
| Place of birth | Pine Bluff, Arkansas |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch | United States Army Air Force |
| Years of service | 1942–1952 |
| Rank | Sergeant first class |
| Awards |
|
| Relations | Luvada |
Sergeant First Class Thomas Franklin Vaughns (born July 7, 1920) is an American veteran who was a member of the famed group of World War II-era African-Americans known as the Tuskegee Airmen. He is a recipient of the National Defense Service Medal in 2019, for his service in the Korean War.[1][2] He is also a member of the Arkansas Agriculture Hall of Fame.[3]
Military service[]
World War II[]
The Tuskegee Airmen's aircraft had distinctive markings that led to the name, "Red Tails."[N 1]
Vaughns was drafted his senior year of high school. In 1942 reported for duty at Camp Robinson. He was sent to basic training in Bakersfield, California. Vaughns was trained to be a mechanic for B-25 bombers. He was then transferred to Tuskegee along with 18 others.[5]
Korean War[]
Vaughns signed up for the Army Reserves and when the Korean War began he was sent to Fort Hood where he served as a mechanic. In 1952 he was discharged as a Sergeant First Class.[5]
Early life[]
Vaughns family owned a 50-acre farm in Felton, in rural Lee County, Arkansas. He attended Marianna High School in Arkansas.[5] On July 12, 2020, on Vaughn's 100th birthday a drive-by parade honoring him took place. The parade was organized by the church he attends: Barraque Street Missionary Baptist Church[6]
Awards[]
- Congressional Gold Medal awarded to the Tuskegee Airmen in 2006[7]
- World War II Victory Medal[2]
- American Campaign Medal[2]
- National Defense Service Medal (2019)[2]
- Arkansas Agriculture Hall of Fame (2020)[3]
Education[]
- Marianna High School[5]
- Arkansas Agricultural, Mechanical & Normal College[5]
- University of Arkansas[1]
Personal life[]
After WWII Vaughns returned home to Pine Bluff, Arkansas. There he worked in education. He also worked monitoring 4-H Club members.[2] After WWII, he attended college and He married Luvada. He signed up for the Army Reserves and when the Korean War began he was sent to Fort Hood.[5] In the 1950s he set up a program for farmer to sell their produce in Crittenden County, Arkansas and later in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. His programs provided employment for 1400 people.[3] He spent the rest of his career occupied with agricultural teaching farming techniques.[5]
See also[]
- Executive Order 9981
- Military history of African Americans
- The Tuskegee Airmen (movie)
Further reading[]
- The Tuskegee Airmen: An Illustrated History, 1939–1949[8]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Ellis, Dale (22 August 2019). "Arkansas veteran, 99, given new medal, praise for life lived". Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc.. https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2019/aug/22/white-hall-veteran-99-given-new-medal-p/. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Adams, Char (27 August 2019). "'Hero' 99-Year-Old Tuskegee Airman Honored With Medals and His Own Day in Special Ceremony". Meredith Corporation. https://people.com/human-interest/thomas-franklin-vaughns-tuskegee-airman-99-honor-medal/. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Steed, Stephan (6 March 2020). "Arkansas Agriculture Hall of Fame to welcome 6 new members". Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc.. https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2020/mar/06/agriculture-hall-of-fame-to-welcome-6-n/. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
- ↑ Rice, Markus. "The Men and Their Airplanes: The Fighters." Tuskegee Airmen, 1 March 2000.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 Boozman, Senator John (23 September 2019). "Boozman Recognizes Service of Tuskegee Airman". Boozman Senate. https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2019/9/boozman-recognizes-service-of-tuskegee-airman#:~:text=Vaughns%20served%20as%20a%20Supply,for%20soldiers%20who%20were%20deploying.. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
- ↑ "Thomas Vaughns to observe 100th birthday with drive-by parade". Gannett Co., Inc.. 10 July 202. https://www.swtimes.com/news/20200710/thomas-vaughns-to-observe-100th-birthday-with-drive-by-parade. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
- ↑ Rangel, Charles B. (April 11, 2006). "Tuskegee Airmen Gold Medal Signed Into Law". Press Release. United States House of Representatives. http://www.house.gov/list/press/ny15_rangel/CBRStatementTuskegeeBillSigned04112006.html. Retrieved 2008-11-26.
- ↑ Caver, Joseph; Ennels, Jerome A.; Haulman, Daniel Lee (2011). The Tuskegee Airmen: An Illustrated History, 1939–1949. Montgomery: New South Books. p. 394. ISBN 978-1588382443. https://books.google.com/books?id=1qC51h8HrWQC&q=William+p.+Armstrong+tuskegee&pg=PA194. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
Notes[]
External links[]
- Tuskegee Airmen at Tuskegee University
- Tuskegee Airmen Archives at the University of California, Riverside Libraries.
- Tuskegee Airmen, Inc.
- Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site (U.S. National Park Service)
- Tuskegee Airmen National Museum
- Fly (2009 play about the 332d Fighter Group)
- Thomas Vaughns
The original article can be found at Thomas Franklin Vaughns and the edit history here.