Several Message Received Tell of Vaughn's Release
Three Sources State He Was Liberated; Captured Year Ago
Several message from various sources have informed Mr. and Mrs. R.W. Vaughn, 219 1/2 North Federal, that their son, Lt. Richard Vaughn, has been liberated from prison camp in Germany.
The first notice of his release they read in the Chicago Tribune in an interview story carried by that paper on May 3. The reporters had merely listed him among others as having been released from Moosberg in southern Germany. He was the only one named as being from Iowa.
The 2nd message came to the Vaughns from the war department on May 15. It stated that Lt. Vaughn was back under military control.
Last message received here came to the Red Cross on May 22. It stated that Lt. Vaughn requested that his parents be notified of his liberation.
No direct word from the lieutenant has yet been received. Previous to being transferred to Moosberg, he had been in Stalag Luft 3.
Source: Mason City Globe-Gazette, May 23, 1945 (photo included)
Dietz Winner of Silver Star; Lt. Vaughn War P.O.W. Since May, 1944
Among Mason City's liberated prisoners of war to arrive home from the Jefferson Barracks reception center within the last few days are Lt. Richard Vaughn, S/Sgt. Paul Ong, Sgt. Sherman E. Wickre, and Pfc. Alex Dietz. All are unanimous in that the best thing about coming home is "just being here."
Lt. Vaughn, son of Mr. and Mrs. R.W. Vaughn, 219 1/2 North Federal, was met at Nora Springs early Sunday morning by his parents. He will be here on a 60 day leave after which he will go to Miami Beach, Fla. He had been held by the Germans since May 10, 1944.
Source: Mason City Globe-Gazette, June 20, 1945
Richard Eugene Vaughn was born Apr. 9, 1918 to Rae Webster and Grace Lillian Mann Vaughn. He died Oct. 8, 1996 an is buried in Greenwood Memorial Park and Mausoleum, Fort Worth, TX.
Col. Vaughn served with the U.S. Air Force and was a POW in World War II.
Source: ancestry.com
