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There is no one in the class of 1930 and but few in the Signal Corps who do not remember Jimmy. As a cadet he was distinguished for his good nature, his interest in basketball and above all for the ease with which he mastered the academic problems of cadet life while we, his brothers in arms, sweated and burned the midnight oil.</p>
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Jimmy was born on a farm near Paris, Missouri, the eldest of the four sons of Elizabeth and Robert Vaughn. He grew up on his father’s farm and in 1923, at the age of seventeen, enrolled in Westminster College at Fulton, Missouri, where he studied until he entered West Point in that well remembered June of 1926.</p>
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Jimmy chose the Signal Corps and became a specialist in telephone communications. I first served with him in the Second Division at Fort Sam Houston in the late 30’s. There he commanded the Second Signal Company. At that time the Second Division was the pioneer and test unit for the new triangular divisions. He did outstanding work and contributed materially to the soundness of the communications of the current divisional organization.</p>
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We served together again in the Philippines. During the siege of Bataan Jimmy was the Signal Officer of I Corps, commanded by General J. M. Wainwright. His service at this time might be described by quoting the citation with which General Wainwright awarded him the Bronze Star Medal:</p>
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“For meritorious achievement in connection with military operations against the enemy on Bataan, Philippine Islands, from March 15, 1942 to April 9, 1942. As Signal Officer of I Philippine Corps, through his devotion to duty, professional skill and ability, he maintained efficient signal communications over rough, rugged terrain and over areas subjected to heavy bombing. The outstanding manner in which Major Vaughn planned, installed and maintained communications contributed materially to the success of the operations of the I Philippine Corps during this period.”</p>
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The above citation falls far short of describing the nature and extent of Jimmy’s services in Bataan. Those who are familiar with the jungles of the Philippines can imagine the difficulty of establishing and maintaining communications over such terrain under even the most favorable circumstances. During the siege Jimmy operated under the most difficult circumstances. He lacked adequate equipment and trained personnel. His lines were continuously bombed and shelled, and Jimmy and his crews, suffering from malaria, dysentery and malnutritions worked without rest to keep them functioning. Jimmy’s leadership and his example of tireless and unflagging industry inspired his crews to keep working at what seemed a hopeless task. The fact that these communications functioned almost without interruption throughout the siege is in itself a tribute to the man who operated them.</p>
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Upon the surrender of Bataan Jimmy stayed with his troops, serving his headquarters to the end and then devoting himself to organizing the surrender of his unit to provide the best protection possible to his men under the Japanese guards. When the Japanese actually took over the Corps Headquarters he was quickly separated from his troops and placed in a mixed column of Americans on the infamous Death March out of Bataan. On this March Jimmy, in spite of his rundown condition, devoted himself to helping his fellows, officers and men alike, even though he was in poorer condition than many of those he helped.</p>
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I saw him at Balanga. We had been marching for three days without food. A sympathetic Filipino smuggled a salmon can full of raw rice through the fence to Jimmy. He found a container and cooked the rice and then, without eating any of it himself, he went around the enclosure giving it to those who appeared the weakest. I have always considered this one of the outstanding examples of self-sacrifice that I have witnessed.</p>
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As the Death March continued many people became so weak that they could no longer keep their place in column. Those who fell out were killed without mercy by the Japanese guards. Jimmy, although now very weak himself, still persisted in his efforts to help the weaker ones to stay in column. On the fifth or sixth day of the March, near Bacalor, Pampanga, he was helping an American soldier who was at the point of exhaustion. The soldier stumbled and fell. Jimmy tried to get him on his feet to rejoin the column. A Japanese guard ordered him to leave the man and move on. Jimmy ignored him and continued trying to get the soldier on his feet. The guard, without further ado, shot Jimmy and left him beside the road.</p>
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Jimmy is survived by his father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. R. T. Vaughn of Paris, Missouri; his wife, Adele Yantis Vaughn Sulloway; and his daughter, Gay Beth, born in 1940.</p>
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West Point is distinguished solely by the conduct of her sons. This distinction grows from year to year and each of us hopes to contribute his own small share. It is a distinction of gallantry and devotion to duty; and the contribution of a platoon leader may be equal to that of an Army Commander. It is independent of rank and age but is measured by selflessness and courage. <em>James Nugent Vaughn</em> contributed his full share and his name is a living part of the fame of his Alma Mater. Let it not be forgotten.</p>
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<em>—Alva Fitch</em></p>
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