Robert J. Vaughan was born on April 3, 1916 in California. He served in the 401st Bomber Squadron, 91st Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Sergeant during World War II. SGT Vaughan was the Gunner on B-17F Flying Fortress #41-24451 that crashed in Mount Slieveanorra, near Cushendall, Northern Ireland while in transit to Great Britain due to bad weather. Eight of the ten on board were killed, including SGT Vaughan, while two survived.

Killed aboard were:
1st Lt. John A. McLean, Pilot
2nd Lt. Leonard L. Koebel, Bombardier
Capt. Dale L. Lasselle - Co-Pilot
Capt. George C. Wassell - passenger
Sgt. Robert J. Vaughan - Gunner
Cpl. John N. Gibson - Radio operator
Pvt. Justin C. Hamblin - Engineer

Survivors:
Corp. Leon Harrison - Flight Engineer
PFC Norman E. Wicks - Radio Operator

SGT Vaughan is buried now somewhere in California.