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Harry H. Vaughan

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Harry Hawkins Vaughan
Born(1893-11-26)November 26, 1893
Glasgow, Missouri
DiedMay 20, 1981(1981-05-20) (aged 87)
Fort Belvoir, Virginia
AllegianceUnited States United States of America
Service / branchUnited States Army Seal United States Army
Years of service1917–1953 (Army Reserves)
Rank Major General
CommandsMilitary Aide to President Truman 1945–1953
Battles / warsWorld War I
World War II
Awards Silver Star (2)
Bronze Star (2)
Commendation Medal (3)
Croix de guerre 1914–1918
Spouse(s)Margaret Pilcher Vaughn

Harry Hawkins Vaughan (November 26, 1893 – May 20, 1981) was a Military Aide to the President (1945–1953) during the presidency of Harry S. Truman.[1] In the White House, he was Truman's closest friend and poker partner. He appeared to many observers at the time, and historians since, as merely a court jester and gift taker.[2][3][4]

Biography

Harry Hawkins Vaughan was born on November 26, 1893 in Glasgow, Missouri. In 1916, he graduated from Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri. With the United States' entry into World War I, Vaughan was commissioned second lieutenant in the Field Artillery and was assigned for military training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.

During the training, Vaughan befriended another officer, future U.S. President Harry S. Truman. They were both assigned to the 129th Field Artillery Regiment within the 35th Infantry Division and sent to France. Vaughan participated in the Battle of Saint-Mihiel or the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. He served as a liaison officer and battery commander, and for his service in combat, he was later decorated with two Silver Stars and the French Croix de Guerre.

Vaughan returned to active duty in World War II, was injured in a plane crash in 1943, and was assigned to the staff of the Truman Committee. Truman made him the first Vice Presidential military aide in 1945; he continued as military aide to the president when Truman succeeded Franklin D. Roosevelt, and remained in the post until the end of Truman's presidency in 1953.[5]

In the 1950s, Vaughan was accused of bribery. In 1951, White House Appointments Secretary Matthew J. Connelly asked legal counsel Max Lowenthal to help General Harry H. Vaughan in "setting up testimony."[6] Vaughan admitted repeated episodes of trading access to the White House for expensive gifts.[7]

Vaughan died at Fort Belvoir, Virginia's DeWitt Army Hospital on May 21, 1981. He was buried at Ivy Hill Cemetery in Alexandria, Virginia.

References

  1. ^ Harry S. Truman Library and Museum. "Harry H. Vaughan Papers". Retrieved 26 May 2014. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  2. ^ David McCullough, Truman (1992), p 365–66.
  3. ^ Alonzo Hamby, . Man of the people: a life of Harry S. Truman (1995) pp 302–3, 513, 585
  4. ^ Harry H. Vaughan, Major General Who Was An Aide To Truman, Dies New York Times; May 22, 1981
  5. ^ Graff, Garrett M. (2017). Raven Rock: The Story of the U.S. Government's Secret Plan to Save Itself - While the Rest of Us Die. Simon & Schuster.
  6. ^ "Oral History Interviews with Matthew J. Connelly". Harry S. Truman Library & Museum. 30 November 1967. Retrieved 20 August 2017.
  7. ^ Harry H. Vaughan, Major General Who Was An Aide To Truman, Dies New York Times; May 22, 1981


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