George Augustus Vaughn, Jr.

George Augustus Vaughn, Jr.
Lt. George A. Vaughn Jr., 17th Aero Squadron. Distinguished Service Cross.
Born	(1897-05-20)May 20, 1897 Brooklyn, New York
Died	July 31, 1989(1989-07-31) (aged 92) Staten Island, New York
Place of burial	Staten Island, New York
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Army Air Service
Rank	Lieutenant
Battles/wars	World War I
Awards	Distinguished Service Cross Distinguished Flying Cross Silver Star
Other work	Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology

George Augustus Vaughn, Jr. (May 20, 1897 – July 31, 1989) was an American fighter ace in World War I and Distinguished Service Cross, Britain's Distinguished Flying Cross, and Silver Star recipient. Vaughn was America's second-ranking Air Service ace to survive the war.

Vaughn was born in Brooklyn and attended Adelphi Academy. Upon graduating in 1915 he entered Princeton University. While at Princeton Vaughn learned how to fly Curtiss Jenny biplanes.

After some training with the RAF, and an interim post ferrying aircraft to France, Vaughn was posted in May 1918 to No. 84 Squadron RAF, based in Bertangles and commanded by Sholto Douglas. He was attached to "B" flight, led by Hugh "Dingbat" Saunders, the sometimes-wingman to RAF ace Andrew Beauchamp-Proctor, all three pilots flying the Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5a. Vaughn claimed seven air victories in his time with 84 Squadron.

In August 1918, Vaughn was transferred to the 17th Aero Squadron, United States Air Service, where he flew the Sopwith Camel, claiming another six victories.

Vaughn was America's second-ranking Air Service ace to survive the war. He is credited with downing four German planes destroyed, seven shared destroyed, one kite balloon destroyed and one aircraft "out of control". One of the German pilots he shot down was Friedrich T. Noltenius, a 21-victory ace. 22 September 1918.