Arkansas native, Sgt. 1st Class Thomas Franklin Vaughns, is finally getting the recognition he deserves.
Vaughns, a Tuskegee Airman, was honored this week in a special ceremony held at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, according to CNN. The 99 year old, two-time veteran served in World War II and the Korean War. He was presented with the National Defense Service Medal for his tour in Korea by US Senator John Boozman of Arkansas.
The National Defense Service Medal is awarded to any member of the armed forces, for honorable, active military service. But that was just the beginning of the recognition. Vaughns also received a day named after him by the mayor of Pine Bluff, Arkansas. August 21 is officially “Thomas Franklin Vaughns Day,” in the city.
During the ceremony, Vaughns also received replacement medals for the ones he had lost. Vaughns told CNN that the honor “just means that [he’s] been a servant for the people.” He also had advice for young people, saying that they should “go to school [and] stay in school [and] when [they] come out…come out with the idea of serving people.”
We’ll take that advice to heart Mr. Vaughns. Thank you for your service!
Photo courtesy of CNN