Clyde Adolph Vaughn, Dexter, Missouri, died peacefully surrounded by his loving family on September 9, 2015, at his home at the age of 94. He was born July 17, 1921, to the late William J. and Mary Alice (Bobbitt) Vaughn in Dexter, MO. He was a direct descendent of one of the oldest families in Stoddard County dating to around 1837. He grew up in a tightly knit family of six sons and one daughter and was the last surviving member. His mother, Mary Alice Vaughn, was a four star mother during World War II. On September 13, 1945, he married Lois M. Launius, Bloomfield, MO, who survives at the home.
Clyde graduated from Dexter Senior High School in 1940. He was co-captain and quarterback of the football team which won the 1939 Southern Conference Championship. Shortly before graduating from Dexter High School, he joined the Dexter Missouri National Guard Unit, which was Company L, 140th Infantry. He was mobilized in December 1940 and served on Active Duty until June 27, 1945. During World War II, he attained the rank of Platoon Sgt. and fought in Italy as an infantry soldier in Company F, 2/351st Infantry, 88th Infantry Division. Like many of his generation, he did not talk about his wartime experiences. He was quite modest in this regard. Yet, he fought in three Italian Campaigns (earning three Bronze Stars for Rome-Arno, North Apennines and Po Valley) and also received the Silver Star, Bronze Star for Valor and the Purple Heart. He also was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge (CIB) and the Presidential Unit Citation. Upon receiving the Silver Star, The Fifth Army issued the following News Release:
“Technical Sergeant Clyde A. Vaughn of Dexter, Missouri, recently was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action with Lieutenant General Mark W. Clark’s Fifth Army in Italy. When his company suffered heavy casualties, among them some of the officers, at the beginning of an assault Vaughn volunteered to lead one platoon on the attack. When the squad was fired upon by Germans using tracer ammunition, due to poor visibility, Vaughn was able to locate the hostile positions.
He moved ahead, throwing hand grenades, and personally knocked out three machineguns, killed seven Germans and forced another machinegun crew to surrender. Although he was severely wounded, Vaughn continued to advance, firing a German automatic pistol as he went. He refused medical aid and evacuation as he led his men on until he was finally forced to drop prone due to loss of blood and exhaustion.
“Such gallantry and heroism in the face of almost certain death is displayed only by the bravest of soldiers,” stated the citation with the award. Vaughn is a member of the 351st Infantry Regiment, 88th “Blue Devil” Division of the Fifth Army” (Fifth Army News Release, Nov. 6, 1944).
His Silver Star was awarded for his gallantry in the Mt. Capello battle, one of the four bitterest battles of the entire Po Valley campaign. The 2/351 Infantry received the Presidential Unit Citation as the result of this battle.
After the war ended, he attended the University of Missouri-Columbia. He then returned to Dexter and to the Missouri National Guard where he continued to serve the nation. Upon retirement, he had achieved 38 years of military service. During this time, he gained a commission, attained the rank of Captain, and retired as a CWO4. His last assignment as a full time technician for the Missouri National Guard was as the Command Administrative Officer for the 1140th En Bn (Cbt), Cape Girardeau, MO. During his time as a Captain, he commanded Company L, 140th Infantry, which was the same unit he was mobilized with for WWII in 1940. He was the last living commander of a Dexter infantry unit.
Clyde was married to the love of his life for nearly 70 years and together they had four children of which three survive: LT GEN (r) Clyde Alan Vaughn and his wife Carol, Winchester, VA; Susan Lynne Vaughn, Jefferson City, MO, and Dwight Thomas Vaughn, Nashville, TN. One child, Harold Dean, died in infancy. He is also survived by two grandchildren, Kristi and her husband Dr. Robert Meltvedt, Front Royal, VA, and LtCol Chad Vaughn and his wife Jenn, Yuma, AZ, and four great-grandchildren: Drew, Parker, Jeb, and Kaylee Lou.
Like many returning WWII veterans, he committed himself to providing for, and raising a family, while actively supporting the community. He served as scoutmaster for many young men, and was a lifelong member of the Dexter First Christian Church, American Legion, VFW, DAV, and Toastmasters of Cape Girardeau. He enjoyed fishing, planting trees, raising blackberries, hunting quail, football and the St. Louis Cardinals.
His attributes were many, but those that knew him and his background, will tell you of his great physical and mental courage, strength, perseverance, and “never ever quit attitude.” His influence will live on in the lives of all those he touched. He will be fondly remembered and his family will miss him deeply.
In addition to his parents and infant son, he was preceded in death by his brothers Ben, E.R. “Dutch”, William J. “Bill”, Joe, and Lowell “Cotton”, and his sister, Louise Vaughn Bailey.
Visitation will be from 12:00noon--2:00pm, Monday, September 14, 2015, at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home, Dexter, MO, with services at 2:30pm in the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery located at 17357 Stars and Stripes Way, Bloomfield, MO. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Stoddard County Children’s Home, The Ben Kruse 18 FORE Life Foundation or charity of choice.
