Thomas Franklin Vaughns | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1920-07-07)July 7, 1920 (age 105) Pine Bluff, Arkansas, U.S. |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Branch | United States Army Air Force |
| Years of service | 1942–1952 |
| Rank | Sergeant first class |
| Awards |
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| Relations | Luvada |
Sergeant First ClassThomas Franklin Vaughns (born July 7, 1920) is an American veteran who was a member of the famed group ofWorld War II-eraAfrican-Americans known as theTuskegee Airmen. He is a recipient of theNational Defense Service Medal in 2019, for his service in theKorean War.[1][2] He is also a member of the Arkansas Agriculture Hall of Fame.[3]
Vaughns was drafted his senior year of high school. In 1942 reported for duty atCamp Robinson. He was sent to basic training inBakersfield, California. Vaughns was trained to be a mechanic forB-25 bombers. He was then transferred to Tuskegee along with 18 others.[5]
Vaughns signed up for the Army Reserves and when the Korean War began he was sent toFort Hood where he served as a mechanic. In 1952 he was discharged as a Sergeant First Class.[5]
Vaughns family owned a 50-acre farm in Felton, in ruralLee County, Arkansas. He attendedMarianna High School in Arkansas.[5] On July 12, 2020, for Vaughn's100th birthday 5 days earlier, a drive-by parade honoring him took place. The parade was organized by the church he attends: Barraque Street Missionary Baptist Church.[6]
After World War II Vaughns returned home to Pine Bluff, Arkansas. There he worked in education. He also worked monitoring 4-H Club members.[2] After the war, he attended college and married Luvada. He signed up for the Army Reserves and when theKorean War began he was sent toFort Hood.[5] In the 1950s he set up a program for farmers to sell their produce inCrittenden County, Arkansas and later in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. His programs provided employment for 1,400 people.[3] He spent the rest of his career occupied with teaching agricultural farming techniques.[5]
