Memorial Day, 2019...

Midshipman Richard W. Vaughn - 1967

On this Memorial Day, my thoughts are of all the young people I served with who made the ultimate sacrifice for our great country. One was a young man named Richard Vaughn, whom I taught at the University of Oklahoma in 1965 and 1966. He was from San Luis Obispo, California. He had received a NROTC scholarship, elected to attend OU, and rose to the position of Midshipman Battalion Commander, the top position a Midshipman can attain within the organization.  Richard had selected the Marine Corps option at the end of his sophomore year and had subsequently trained for a Marine Corps commission under the able teaching of Marine Lt. Col. Tullis Woodham and Gunnery Sergeant William Bingaman. 2nd Lieutenant Vaughn was the epitome of a young marine officer -- handsome, physically fit, and exuding the "command presence" that we tried to develop in all our young officer candidates. When he was commissioned in June of 1967, he looked like a recruiting poster for the Marine Corps -- fit, energetic, proud in his brand new dress blues.   

After completing his Officer's Basic School at Quantico, on October 11, he proceeded to the 1st Battalion, Ninth Marines and his tour of duty as an infantry officer in Viet Nam. On December 6, less than two months into his tour, a Viet Cong rocket or mortar ended his life. He was buried with full military honors in the Golden Gate National Cemetery in San Bruno, California, surrounded by other heroes. Richard's death epitomizes the the huge loss that the country suffers when our best and brightest are taken at a young age. He clearly was destined to do great things had he lived. The year after Richard's death, his mother established a memorial award to be perpetuated at OU. Each year, the outstanding Marine Officer Candidate would be presented with his or her highly prized Mameluke Sword in Lt. Vaughn's memory.   

Let's never forget to honor his memory, and that of so many others who gave us all their most precious gift.