HONORED ON PANEL 59E, LINE 23 OF THE WALL
WILBURN FRED VAUGHT
WALL NAME
WILBURN F VAUGHT
PANEL / LINE
59E/23
DATE OF BIRTH
CASUALTY PROVINCE
DATE OF CASUALTY
HOME OF RECORD
COUNTY OF RECORD
STATE
BRANCH OF SERVICE
RANK
REMEMBRANCES
LEFT FOR WILBURN FRED VAUGHT
POSTED ON 9.26.2022
POSTED BY: Lucy Micik
Thank You
Dear SSgt Wilburn Vaught, Thank you for your service with the 388th Munition Maintenance Squadron. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart . Autumn has begun. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it still needs your strength, courage, guidance and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.
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POSTED ON 2.25.2018
POSTED BY: [email protected]
Ground Casualty
A1C James E. Francis served with the 388th Security Police Squadron at Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base in Thailand. On March 11, 1968, A1C Francis was assigned with three other air policemen to duty on Security Alert Teams (SAT), with two airmen to each of the SAT jeeps. Their mission was to patrol the bomb storage area located about six miles off the main base property. On this day, members of the 388th Munitions Maintenance Squadron were unloading 750 lb. bombs from flatbed trucks to be moved into underground bunkers for storage. These munitions were general purpose bombs that would later be used for flight bombing missions. Apart from the SAT teams and the munitions personnel, K-9 foot patrols were also being conducted in the bomb storage area. While the unloading was taking place, an explosion occurred after a number of the 750 lb. bombs detonated. The two SAT teams immediately responded to the site of the blast. One team arrived on one side of the bunker, and the second SAT team went to the other side. The first team found a badly injured munitions specialist, his clothing completely burned away. All that remained of his gear was his web belt and boots. On the other side, Airman Francis was assisting another munitions specialist when a second, more powerful explosion occurred. Both Francis and the munitions specialist, SSGT Wilburn F. Vaught, were killed by the concussion of the blast. Another munitions worker from the 388th, A1C James W. Reese, died after suffering blast injuries and 3rd degree burns over 95% of his body. The airman who clothes had been burned away, A1C Frank A. Uhlik Jr., was evacuated to Clark Air Force Base in the Philippines, where he died four days later. In the aftermath of the tragedy, the security police jeeps were returned to the main base in pieces on a flatbed truck. A memorial service was held on the base for the airmen that died. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and information provided by David Parrish (February 2018)]
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POSTED ON 5.12.2016
POSTED BY: Curt Carter [email protected]
Remembering An American Hero
Dear SSGT Wilburn Fred Vaught, sir
As an American, I would like to thank you for your service and for your sacrifice made on behalf of our wonderful country. The youth of today could gain much by learning of heroes such as yourself, men and women whose courage and heart can never be questioned.
May God allow you to read this, and may He allow me to someday shake your hand when I get to Heaven to personally thank you. May he also allow my father to find you and shake your hand now to say thank you; for America, and for those who love you.
With respect, Sir
Curt Carter
As an American, I would like to thank you for your service and for your sacrifice made on behalf of our wonderful country. The youth of today could gain much by learning of heroes such as yourself, men and women whose courage and heart can never be questioned.
May God allow you to read this, and may He allow me to someday shake your hand when I get to Heaven to personally thank you. May he also allow my father to find you and shake your hand now to say thank you; for America, and for those who love you.
With respect, Sir
Curt Carter
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