Twice the Ace, Flying for the UK and the U.S.—George Vaughn, DFC, DSC

Lt. George A. Vaughn, Jr.

Born in 1897, George Augustus Vaughn, Jr., grew up in Brooklyn, NY, and enrolled in Princeton University in 1915. In February 1917, Vaughn signed up for the Princeton Aviation School. Concerned about passing the physical exam, he nevertheless paid $8.50 for a uniform. He was selected and soon began to fly the Curtiss “Jenny.” In June 1917, his aviation class enlisted in the Aviation Section of the Signal Corps. His service in the Great War was particularly notable for his singular achievement of meeting the five-victory standard flying two different aircraft—the S.E.5a and the Sopwith Camel—and while serving in a British and an American squadron. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross for an action while flying for the British squadron and the Distinguished Service Cross for an action a month later after he had transferred to an American squadron.

Upon graduation from the Army School of Military Aeronautics at Princeton, Vaughn and most of his classmates requested duty in Italy. Sailing for Italy in September 1917, the liner stopped in England and the “Yanks ” quickly learned they were to remain there. After more ground training at Oxford University and further primary training, Private First Class Vaughn went to advanced training. He flew a variety of aircraft and in March was commissioned a first lieutenant. By late April 1918, with 12 hours in the S.E.5a, he was combat ready. Vaughn was soon posted to the Royal Air Force’s 84 Squadron in France. On 16 June, he first tasted combat when a Pfalz slipped up and put some holes in his S.E.5a. He then chased it far behind enemy lines and shot it down.

Eight days later, he added another victory, a yellow-tailed Fokker biplane, and before the end of July he shared in two more victories. After taking leave in London, Vaughn returned to France and on 22 August shared credit for a Rumpler. On 26 August, the 17th Aero Squadron of the U.S. Air Service lost six Sopwith Camels. Three days later, Vaughn arrived at the American squadron to command “B” Flight and fly the highly maneuverable, fast-climbing Camel. In September, Vaughn unofficially received the British Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC). While in the 17th Aero Squadron, Vaughn scored six victories, bringing his total to 13 by the Armistice.

Vaughn returned to New York in early 1919 and in November received his DFC, presented aboard HMS Renown in New York Harbor by England’s Prince of Wales. Returning to Princeton, he finished his engineering degree in 1920. In addition to serving as commander of the New York National Guard Air Squadron for nearly ten years, Vaughn established several businesses. These included the Eastern Aeronautical Corporation, the Casey Jones School of Aeronautics, and the Academy of Aeronautics. These schools trained over 30,000 aviation mechanics for the military during World War II. Vaughn retired from the National Guard in 1940 as a lieutenant colonel, but as a special honor in 1986, New York Governor Mario Cuomo promoted him to brigadier general. He passed away in 1989.

Source:  Gathering of Eagles Foundation; theaerodrome.com