Clyde Vaughn

DEXTER, Mo. -- Clyde Adolph Vaughn, 94, of Dexter died peacefully surrounded by his loving family Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2015, at his home.

He was born July 17, 1921, to the late William J. and Mary Alice Bobbitt Vaughn in Dexter. He was a direct descendant 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 Sept. 13, 1945, he married Lois M. Launius of Bloomfield, Missouri, 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, 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 sergeant 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 Mount 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. 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. 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. Survivors include his wife, Lois; three children, retired Lt. Gen. Clyde Alan (Carol) Vaughn of Winchester, Virginia, Susan Lynne Vaughn of Jefferson City, Missouri, and Dwight Thomas Vaughn of Nashville, Tennessee; two grandchildren, Kristi (Dr. Robert) Meltvedt of Front Royal, Virginia. and Lt. Col. Chad (Jenn) Vaughn of Yuma, Arizona; and four great-grandchildren, Drew, Parker, Jeb and Kaylee Lou.

Clyde was preceded in death by his parents; one child, Harold Dean, who died in infancy; four brothers, Ben, E.R. "Dutch," William J. "Bill," Joe and Lowell "Cotton"; and his sister, Louise Vaughn Bailey.

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 who knew him and his background will tell you of his great physical and mental courage, strength, perseverance and his "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 dearly.

Visitation will be from noon to 2 p.m. Monday at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter.

The funeral service will be at 2:30 p.m. Monday in the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield.

The family requests 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.