Mr. Vaughn proudly served his country throughout a distinguished military career. In 1940 he enlisted as a Private in the Army and retired in 1968 as a Colonel in the Air Force. He was a decorated WWII combat veteran earning an Air Medal and Purple Heart as a B-17 co-pilot flying out of Polebrook, England. On Dec 31, 1943 his plane--Speedball--was shot down on an air raid into France. Of the 10-man crew, only 2 survived--1 was killed by intense anti-aircraft fire during the raid, and 7 froze to death after ‘ditching’ in the English Channel. He and the other surviving crew member washed ashore on Guernsey Island New Year’s Day 1944, and were captured by the Germans. Within days he was transported to Stalag Luft 1 in Barth, Germany. After a week in solitary confinement, he spent the next 1 1/2 years (until the end of the war) as a Prisoner of War. For the majority of his military career, he was a pioneer integrating computers into military operations; installing the first computer into the Pentagon Operations Center in the early 1960s, and later served as the first Director of Data Automation for HQ Military Airlift Command at Scott AFB, IL. Following his retirement from the military he served honorably as a computer executive for St. Louis County, before retiring in 1983.
He was a life member of St. Clair Masonic Lodge 24, the 351st Bomb Group Association, and the American ex-POW Okaw Valley Chapter. Kenneth was also a member of the Southern Illinois Valley Consistory, Shriner’s Ainad Temple, Elks Lodge 481, American Legion Post 137, Belleville Senior Citizens, and PSOP. He was also a very active member of St. George Episcopal Church for over 40 years.
He recognized education was critical for advancement, proudly earning his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Maryland after 10 years of night school, and also completing his Master’s Degree from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville following his military retirement. He took great pride visiting students at local schools to share his story, discuss patriotism, and always encouraging them to pursue their dreams. He was an adventurer at heart, never wanting to slow down; he earned his private pilot’s license after his 65th birthday, and loved travelling--especially cruises--into his 90’s.
Kenneth will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. Surviving to cherish his memory, legacy of service to country, and love of family are his loving wife of 69 years, Jean Vaughn; his two sons, Kenneth (Sabine) Vaughn and Robert (Cathy) Vaughn (Lt Col, USAF, ret); his grandchildren, Theresa DeAntoni, Stewart (Amanda) Smith, Kirsten (Vittorio) Vaughn-DiLella, Kristopher (Whitney) Vaughn, Keelan Vaughn, Karson Vaughn, Tyler (Ashley) Vaughn, Jordan (Eva) Vaughn; and his two great-grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Benjamin Lester and Dora Vaughn; his two daughters, Victoria DeAntoni and Leslie Vaughn-Smith; one grandson, Marcus DeAntoni, and his sister, Kathleen Hormel.
Memorial donations in Kenneth’s memory are appreciated to a charity of your choice. Memories and expressions of condolences may be offered at www.valhallagardensandfuneralhome.com.
Friends may call from 4-7 pm, Monday, May 8th, 2017 at Valhalla Gaerdner Holten Funeral Home, Belleville, Illinois; where there will be a Masonic Ritual Service. A second visitation will be Tuesday, May 9th, 2017 at St. George Episcopal Church, Belleville, Illinois from 10-11 am. Funeral Mass will follow at 11 am. Internment in Walnut Hill Cemetery, Belleville, Illinois.
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