Robert Lester Vaughan

The database page for Robert Lester Vaughan

26 Jun 2001 I knew ROBERT LESTER VAUGHAN from McLoughlin Junior High School in 1962-63 at Vancouver, Wa. I had him in my home room class, P.E. class, Metal Shop class, Mechanical Drawing class, and General Math class. "Les" led sort of a sad life as an unwanted orphan for whom school was not easy. He was accused of sleeping under cars and staying over at different friend's houses, and was likewise labeled in school as the "Hood" or "Lugi". We had a math teacher, Mr. Lydon, who was especially cruel to Les. He'd hit him in the back of the head, compare him to the number "Zero", and term him a place holder. One day in Mechanical Drawing class he got caught throwing a "Pink Pearl Eraser" into a radio speaker. Or in Metal Shop he was caught making "Plastic Dice". He would spend a lot of time in P.E. climbing the big rope or playing on the trampoline all alone. There was another side to Les that these people didn't see. A noble side, a real defender in the time of need. He saved me one time from being jumped by a kid twice my size in height, weight and athletic ability. Les ran across the street and drove that kid off by just glaring at him. Les then asked me, "Tell me if he ever bothers you again." Now I have the opportunity to come to your defense, Les, that you, Lance Corporal ROBERT LESTER VAUGHAN, died a real man, a real "HERO" and not a "ZERO"! They'll never be able to fill your shoes for you laid down your life for your country, you died a UNITED STATES MARINE!!!!!!! So now rest in Peace, Les, and know that you did yor best for those people who were so cruel to you. Now rest in the golden light of eternal Love... Your friend Greg Payne 700 Veterans Drive, The Dalles, Or 97058 teetee199thib@usa.com Visit the 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines

A Note from The Virtual Wall Forty-eight Marines and sailors of the 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines, died in Operation Badger Tooth, Christmas, 1967. Twelve of them were from Mike 3/1. Robert Vaughan was one of the twelve. Ridgefield Marine Dies in Vietnam - A Ridgefield Marine, Lance Cpl. Robert "Les" Vaughan, 18, has become the 21st member of the armed forces with Clark County ties to die in the Vietnam war, it was learned today. Vaughan, the son of Mrs. Lela Brewster of 603 Main St., Ridgefield, was reported killed 27 Dec (1967) while on patrol at Quang Tri. Mrs. Brewster said she was notified of her son's death last Thursday, and that he was said to have died of gunshot wounds of the body. The young Marine attended Ridgefield High School before entering the Marines in October, 1966. He had been in Vietnam for three months at the time of his death, serving with M Company, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines. Mrs. Brewster said her son will be buried in Willamette National Cemetery when the body is returned from Vietnam. (The Columbian, Vancouver WA, 1 Jan 1968) Cpl. Robert Vaughan Ridgefield WA (Special) - Lance Cpl. Robert Les Vaughan, 18, Ridgefield WA, was killed 27 Dec (1967) at Quang Tri, South Vietnam. He is the son of Mrs. Lela Brewster, of Ridgefield. Cpl. Vaughan was born 14 Mar 1949, in Emmet ID and joined the Marine Corps in October, 1966. He went to Vietnam last October. In addition to his mother, survivors include two sisters, Mrs. Sharon Lucas, Vancouver, and Mrs. Sharlene McCoy, Clear Lake CA; and five brothers, Larry, Vancouver, and Tom Vaughan, Gary Brewster, Mike Brewster, and Chris Brewster, all of Ridgefield. Funeral arrangements are pending at Vancouver Funeral Home. Burial will be in Willamette National Cemetery, Portland. (The Oregonian, Portland OR, 4 Jan 1968) Obituary text courtesy of Darilee Bodnar bookstorelady@facesfromthewall.com Faces from the Wall Robert Lester Vaughan, Lance Corporal, US Marine Corps, was buried on 08 Jan 1968 in Section G, Site 279, Willamette National Cemetery, Portland, Oregon, among other men of courage and integrity.

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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Channing Prothro, former CAP Marine
Last updated 11/13/2010