DAVID R. VAUGHN, CDR, USN
David Vaughn '72
Lucky Bag
From the 1972 Lucky Bag:
DAVID ROY VAUGHN
Ohio
Dave came to the Academy from a small town in Ohio, where he regretfully left his love and as a result lost her. But he didn't stop trying. Dave had a new O.A.O. for every year he spent at Canoe U. At USNA Dave quickly earned the nickname of "The Hood" from his classmates because of his very obvious interest in knives and guns. During study hour, you could usually find him in his room throwing his stiletto at the bulletin board or practicing his fast draw. He still found time for studying though and vowed that somehow he would major in Aerospace Eng., even at the cost of burning the midnight oil for 3 long years. Dave's plans are to fly Navy after he suffers through his 18 months of surface line. Wherever he goes, success will follow.
DAVID ROY VAUGHN
Ohio
Dave came to the Academy from a small town in Ohio, where he regretfully left his love and as a result lost her. But he didn't stop trying. Dave had a new O.A.O. for every year he spent at Canoe U. At USNA Dave quickly earned the nickname of "The Hood" from his classmates because of his very obvious interest in knives and guns. During study hour, you could usually find him in his room throwing his stiletto at the bulletin board or practicing his fast draw. He still found time for studying though and vowed that somehow he would major in Aerospace Eng., even at the cost of burning the midnight oil for 3 long years. Dave's plans are to fly Navy after he suffers through his 18 months of surface line. Wherever he goes, success will follow.
Loss
David was lost on December 5, 1986 when the A-6E Intruder he was piloting crashed near the Boardman Navy Range in Oregon. The bombardier/navigator aboard was also killed. The were members of Attack Squadron (VA) 128, based at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington.
Other Information
From the April 1987 issue of Shipmate:
Cdr. David Vaughn USN was killed during a training flight at Boardman Bombing Range, Oregon on 5 December 1986. A memorial service was held at the Naval Air Station Chapel at Whidbey Island, Wash., on 10 December 1986, and was followed by volley honors, taps, the presentation of the national ensign to his widow, and the missing man formation fly-by. Cdr. Vaughn's ashes were scattered over Mt. Baker in the state of Washington.
Cdr. Vaughn was born in Beckley, West Virginia on 5 June 1950. He entered the Naval Academy from the State of Ohio; he spent all four of his Academy years in the 11th Company. Upon graduation in June 1972, he was granted a BS in Aerospace Engineering and served in USS WAINWRIGHT (DLG-28) before reporting to Naval Aviation Schools Command at NAS Pensacola the following February.
Receiving his wings in February 1975, he remained in Kingsville, Texas, as a flight instructor until December 1976. He then proceeded to VA-128 at Whidbey Island and qualified in the A-6 Intruder. Cdr. Vaughn then reported to the Knightriders of VA-52, completing two deployments aboard USS KITTY HAWK (CV-63). In April 1980, he reported to Naval Programs, Grumman Aerospace Corporation in Bethpage, New York, where he served as a test and acceptance pilot for A-6 and EA-6B aircraft. In August 1983, he reported to the boomers of VA-165 and completed deployments aboard USS RANGER (CV-61) and USS KITTY HAWK (CV-63). In February 1986, he reported to the Golden Intruders of VA-128, where he headed A-6 maintenance training as Framp Officer.
Commander Vaughn is survived by his wife of fifteen years, Linda, and their four children, Jennifer (12), James (10), Jessica (6), and Jared (5), of Oak Harbor, Wash.
He has a marker in Ohio.
Remembrances
From his classmate and company-mate Lanny Benham on June 2, 2021:
Dave was a class act. He had strong faith in God and loved his country. He had wanted to be a pilot since he was young, so the Naval Academy provided him a pathway to becoming a top notch Naval Aviator. He was a natural leader with a welcoming personality and genuine warmth of character. He was true to his word and the best friend anyone could have. Dave was an adventurous type. He rode a motorcycle, loved scuba diving, cracking a bull whip and practicing quick draw with a pistol and holster. Although he was a model naval officer, his greatest achievement was as a husband to Linda Hunsley Vaughn (now Linda Benham) and a father to Jennifer, James, Jessica and Jared. He was a solid role model and grounded his kids by spending special time with each of them and doing things and seeing places as a family. Lanny Benham, CAPT USN (Ret) '72
Memorial Hall Error
David was posthumously promoted to Commander, retroactive to his date of death, as he had been selected to this rank prior to his loss. He is listed in Memorial Hall as a Lieutenant Commander.
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