United States. A Silver Star, Meritorious Service and Legion of Merit Vietnam Group to Major Vaughn, 25th Division

A Meritorious Service Medal, in bronze, reverse engraved L.C. Vaughn, very fine. 

A Silver Star, in silver gilt, reverse engraved LUTHER C. VAUGHN, very fine. 

An Army Commendation Medal, in bronze, reverse engraved L.C. VAUGHN, with V device and two Oak Leaf Clusters on the ribbon, very fine. 

A Bronze Star, in bronze, reverse not engraved, V device on the ribbon, very fine. 

An Air Medal, in bronze,reverse not engraved, two 1 devices on the ribbon, very fine. 

A Legionnaire of Merit, in bronze and enamels, reverse engraved LUTHER C VAUGHN, very fine. 

An Armed Forces Expeditionary Forces, in bronze, original ribbon with bronze, very fine. 

A National Defense reproduction, in bronze, on ribbon with bronze star device, very fine.

A Republic of Vietnam Service medal, in bronze, two bronze stars on the ribbon, very fine. Accompanied by a duplicate. 

Two Vietnam Service, in bronze and enamels, a 1960- clasp on each, very fine. 

A Vietnam Armed Forces Honourable Service Medal, in brass, very fine. 

A Korea Defense Service Medal replica, in bronze gilt, very fine. 

A mixed lot of insignia including shoulder flashes, collar tabs, badges and insignia. 

Accompanied by paper duplicates of his citations for various awards. 

Footnote: Luther Cornelius Vaughn was born on the family farm near Barrineau Park and the Perdido River in rural Escambia County Florida in 1930. After graduating from Tate High School in Cantonment, he attended the University of Florida in Gainesville, where he joined the US Army Reserve and graduated in 1953.

He entered active duty in the US Army on June 21, 1954, and retired on March 31, 1979. During his 26-year career in the Army, he served in overseas tours in Germany, Lebanon, South Korea, Vietnam, Laos and Thailand. He earned the Jumpmaster Parachutist Badge, Combat Infantry Badge, Ranger Tab, Special Forces Crest and Green Beret. His decorations include the Silver Star Medal; Legion of Merit; Bronze Star Medal with “V” Device; Meritorious Service Medal; Air Medal with 11 Oak Leaf Clusters; Army Commendation Medal with “V” Device and 2 Oak Leaf Clusters; Meritorious Unit Citation with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster; National Defense Service Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster; Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal; Vietnam Service Medal with 2 Bronze Stars; Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Gold Star, Silver Star and Bronze Star; Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. He also earned a Masters of Arts Degree from the University of Missouri.

He progressed through the ranks of infantry unit commander, parachutist, special forces officer, instructor, staff officer, adjutant/ adjutant general. He served in Korea, Vietnam, Hawaii, Laos and Thailand. 

Vaughn’s Silver Star was for actions 12 July 1967 in Tay Ninh Province, when he took command of an operation after the battalion commander’s helicopter was hit by ground fire. His Legion of Merit was for service as adjutant, 25th Division Support Command in Vietnam. His MSM was acting commander, 10th Special Forces Group, February 1971-December 1972. He received Expeditionary Medals for service in Lebanon and Laos. He retired in 1979.

Vaughn’s Silver Star citation states “For gallantry in actions Major Vaughn distinguished himself by heroic actions on 12 July 1967, while serving with Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry as battalion S-3 during a combat operation in Tay Ninh Province in the Republic of Vietnam. Major Vaughn’s unit conducted an airborne assault against a Viet Cong battalion west of the Oriental River. Two companies were unable to fight their way off the landing zones and sustained several casualties due to intense fire from a Viet Cong bunker complex. When it became evident that the combined fire of artillery, gunships and the companies was insufficient to suppress the fierce Viet Cong fire, the battalion commander committed his reserve company in an enveloping maneuver. Major Vaughn landed with the company under intense enemy fire and unhesitatingly moved to the lead of the assaulting force, directing it into the enemy position. When the battalion commander’s helicopter was struck by fire, and the command group became preoccupied with saving the life of a wounded passenger, Major Vaugn immediately took control of the elements on the ground. He moved about the battlefield, with complete disregard for his own safety, in his quest to maneuver the elements against the enemy positions. When a company became pinned down by fire, taking several casualties, Major Vaughn aggressively moved to an exposed position on its flank and utilizing the scattered elements around him, set up a base of fire. When the reserve company was ordered to withdraw and the battalion directed to consolidate, Major Vaughn led the forces across 800 meters of unsecure and unfamiliar terrain during the dark to attempt a link up with elements of another company. Due to Major Vaughn’s outstanding leadership and valorous actions the mission was successfully completed and the enemy force defeated.”

His Army Commendation Medal for meritorious service states: 
Major Luther C. Vaughn, 079508, Infantry, distinguished himself by meritorious service as Battalion Executive Officer of the 1st Battalion, 3rd Basic Combat Training Brigade, United States Army Training Center and Fort Leonard Wood, during the period 27 April 1965 to 15 August 1965, and as the School Liaison Officer, United States Army Training Center and Ford Leonard Wood, Missouri, during the period 16 August 1965 to 8 August 1966. Displaying outstanding leadership ability and professional competence, Major Vaughn was responsible for his battalion’s commendable rating on the Annual General Inspection and the enviable records on the Individual Military Proficiency Tests, Trainfire Qualification and Physical Combat Proficiency Tests. As School Liaison Officer, he diligently applied his erudite knowledge and sound judgment to prove the Commanding General with excellent recommendations for the improvement of the local school system which greatly revised ford Leonard Wood dependent school policies. By coupling exceptional diplomatic skill and resourcefulness with a dynamic personality, he effectively implemented all aspects of the school improvement program. His policies and dedicated efforts resulted in the immediate emedation of school children of military personnel throughout the army. Major Vaugn’s accomplishments and dedicated service reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army. 

His oak leaf cluster device was awarded for actions between December 30 1966 to 11 February 1967 for meritorious achievement in connection with military operations against a hostile force, while serving with the 25th infantry division. The commendation for this oak leaf cluster states: 
“Major Vaughn’s high degree of professionalism, dedicated to duty, and initiative enable him to provide significant assistance to the Supp[ort COmmand units in preparing for the United States ARmy Vietnam Inspector General Inspection which was conducted from 6 to 12 February 1967. He worked many long and arduous hours researching and compiling necessary data from Division, United States Army Vietnam, and Army regulations necessary to prepare 38 of the 76 fact sheets on Department of the Army and United States Army Vietnam special areas of interests required for this inspection. He also edited and staffed the necessary revisions for the remainder of these fact sheets. Major Vaughn’s conscientiousness, persistence , and insistence upon high standards enabled him to accomplish this in an exemplary manner resulting in an extremely comprehensive and informative set of fact sheets, which drew laudatory comments from the United States Army Vietnam Inspector General. He also supervised the conduct of an intensive inspection program to ensure that deficiencies were corrected. The United States Army Vietnam Inspector General commented on the outstanding manner in which unit administration conducted under Major Vaughn’s highly professional supervision.”

His V device (second oak leaf cluster) was awarded for actions taken on June 26, 1967. The reason states: “For heroism in connection with military operations against a hostile force: Major Vaughn distinguished himself by heroic actions on 26 June 1967, while serving as battalion S-3. The battalion was on a search and destroy operation near Duc Hoa, Republic of Vietnam, when they made contact with the Viet Cong force. Major Vaughn was in the command and control helicopter which was flying over the area when an urgent call came for a medical evacuation helicopter. The command and control pilot monitoring the call immediately responded to it, although the landing zone was not secure and intense enemy automatic weapons and rifle grenade fire was being received by the company. The helicopter flew into the landing zone and landed as close to the wounded man as possible. Major Vaughn immediately left the aircraft to aid the two men to carry the litter to the helicopter. Major Vaughn’s courage and his concern for a fellow wounded soldier resulted in the man being successfully evacuated in a minimum amount of time. Major Vaughn then assisted in giving first air to the man until he was delivered to the nearest medical facility. Major Vaughn’s actions are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, the 25th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.”

His Air Medal was awarded for actions between April 15 1967 to May 8 1967. “During this time he actively participated in more than twenty-five aerial missions over hostile territory in the support of counterinsurgency operations. During all of these missions he displayed the highest order of air discipline and acted in accordance with the best traditions of the service. By his determination to accomplish his mission in spite of the hazards inherent in repeated aerial flights over hostile territory and by his outstanding degree of professionalism and devotion to duty, he has brought credit upon himself, his organization, and the military service. 

Luther Cornelius Vaughn passed away in 2023.