THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. The remembrance from Robert Mead is touching and reflects his admiration and respect for you. As long as you are remembered you will remain in our hearts forever.

Camp Evans was a U.S. Army and Marine Corps base located west of National Route QL-1, approximately 24 kilometers (14.4 miles) northwest of Hue in Thua Thien Province, RVN. During December 1967, the 1st Battalion, 9th Marines was located at Camp Evans as the Resident Infantry Battalion. The Battalion was responsible for the security of Camp Evans and its ancillary facilities. Accordingly, the Battalion placed a Rifle Company (Reinforced) under the operational control of the 2nd Battalion, 26th Marines as security for a rock crusher and quarry site at Nam Hoa operated by Naval Mobile Construction Battalion Three (NMCB-3) Seabees. Company B, 1/9 was tasked for this mission. At 6:40 PM on December 6th, the Nam Hoa site received approximately thirty-five rounds of enemy 82mm mortar fire. All rounds impacted within Company B’s perimeter causing six wounded and eight killed (one fatality was a Kit Carson Scout). Countermortar 81mm fire was returned with unobserved results. The lost Company B personnel (and attached Marines) were LCPL Lance N. Jenkins, LCPL Richard J. Lis, LCPL Garland R. Mann, LCPL Jackie R. Perry, PFC Fredrick W. Todd (died of wounds 12/07/1967), 2LT Richard W. Vaughn, and PFC Leon Zuniga Jr. Four pieces of equipment were damaged. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org, “1st Battalion 9th Marines Command Diary/Chronology December 6, 1967” at1stbattalion9thmarines.com and “U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion Three Deployment Completion Report for Period May 1967 through January 1968” at history.navy.mil]

Dear Lt Richard Vaughn, Thank you for your service as a Basic Infantry Officer. 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.

I was an NROTC instructor during Richard Vaughn's last two years at OU. He was one of the most exceptional members of the Midshipman Battalion, which is why he was selected as Battalion Commander during his senior year. He had what we call "Command Presence" at all times. I worked with him on several projects and learned that he was a born leader. I thank him and his family for their enormous sacrifice, and often wondewr what might have been. Semper Fi, my Hero. God grant you peace.

You are still missed and remembered for your laugh, your smile. You were also my 1st love.