wildcat123 Posted September 7, 2019 Share #1 Posted September 7, 2019 I came across an old post about this soldier, Leon Vaughn of Kansas City, last week. I hadn’t previously realized there was more of the group out in the woodwork. I purchased a large box of PFC Vaughn’s belongings back in April of 2019 on eBay. Apparently the source of the items was from Leon’s only son’s estate sale. I wanted to put together a thread for the multiple owners to share his story. I will admit, I have not had a chance to do much research, was hoping to have some time this winter. I’ll share what I know... first of all, introducing the soldier, Leon Vaughn, born in September of 1921. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildcat123 Posted September 7, 2019 Author Share #2 Posted September 7, 2019 Leon began the induction process in May of 1942. His mothers name was Gladys Birdsall, I believe his step father passed away during the war. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildcat123 Posted September 7, 2019 Author Share #3 Posted September 7, 2019 Leon was an amateur boxer. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildcat123 Posted September 7, 2019 Author Share #4 Posted September 7, 2019 Here is the bulk of the material in my collection, large number of letters to his sweetheart and then wife, Miss Audrey Allen Of KCMO. From Camp Rucker Alabama to San Luis Obispo California... to the Pacific with company D, 322 Infantry, 81st Infantry Division. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildcat123 Posted September 7, 2019 Author Share #5 Posted September 7, 2019 Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildcat123 Posted September 7, 2019 Author Share #6 Posted September 7, 2019 Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildcat123 Posted September 7, 2019 Author Share #7 Posted September 7, 2019 Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildcat123 Posted September 7, 2019 Author Share #8 Posted September 7, 2019 Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildcat123 Posted September 7, 2019 Author Share #9 Posted September 7, 2019 Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildcat123 Posted September 7, 2019 Author Share #10 Posted September 7, 2019 I’m told the medal was kept by the family. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildcat123 Posted September 7, 2019 Author Share #11 Posted September 7, 2019 Poem written by Leon, notes from a training field problem in the back... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildcat123 Posted September 7, 2019 Author Share #12 Posted September 7, 2019 Letter written to his wife on Oct 14th, 1944... the battle for Angaur was almost over. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildcat123 Posted September 7, 2019 Author Share #13 Posted September 7, 2019 Details of his death on October 18th provided to his family in January of 1945. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildcat123 Posted September 7, 2019 Author Share #14 Posted September 7, 2019 His son would be born after he was killed. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildcat123 Posted September 7, 2019 Author Share #15 Posted September 7, 2019 He was brought home to Kansas City in the late 40s. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildcat123 Posted September 7, 2019 Author Share #16 Posted September 7, 2019 His CIB was sent to his mother. There is some heartbreaking correspondence in the group as Leon’s mother works to reestablish herself as next of kin after Leon’s widow remarried. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildcat123 Posted September 7, 2019 Author Share #17 Posted September 7, 2019 That’s all I have for today. Feel free to add information or items related to PFC Vaughn. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Longbranch Posted September 8, 2019 Share #18 Posted September 8, 2019 That posthumous CIB still attached to the award letter is still one of the neatest examples of an historic piece of insignia, with provenance, that Ive ever seen. Great little piece of history that really hits home the sacrifices of infantry on the front lines. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted September 8, 2019 Share #19 Posted September 8, 2019 Wow - that's one heck of a group! I've seen a lot of posthumous groups and that's got to be one of the most thorough. The posthumous CIB with the award stapled to the letter is pretty amazing. I've seen that letter once before, but not set up like that. Thank you for going through the effort to put all of this back together! Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huntssurplus Posted September 8, 2019 Share #20 Posted September 8, 2019 I was the poster of the thread back in February of this year. I had purchased multiple items which I believed to be most of what was actually out there on Leon Vaughn. However after reading this, I have now found this grouping was much more extensive then what I originally believed. I actually think there are still more items on eBay which belong to this group, but they are mostly if not all not military related. Photos to come! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huntssurplus Posted September 8, 2019 Share #21 Posted September 8, 2019 here are pictures of Leon Vaughn I found during my research, they are from his high school yearbook, senior year (1939). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huntssurplus Posted September 8, 2019 Share #22 Posted September 8, 2019 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huntssurplus Posted September 8, 2019 Share #23 Posted September 8, 2019 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huntssurplus Posted September 8, 2019 Share #24 Posted September 8, 2019 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huntssurplus Posted September 8, 2019 Share #25 Posted September 8, 2019 Pictures didn't work the first time but there they are! more pictures to come from my personal collection next. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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