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Carl Eugene Vaughn born 6-7-23 at West Frankfort, Illinois. Lived there until enlisting in U.S. Navy. Six years schooling at Edwards Elementary. Two years school at Central Middle School. Upon graduating received American Legion School Award. Four years school at Frankfort Community High School. Enlisted U.S. Navy 5-27-41 and had Basic Training at Recruit Training Command, GrLks, II. Worked as typist at Navy Intelligence Office while awaiting Class A Electricians School at Hadley Technical School at St. Louis, Mo. Upon graduation, reported to USN Receiving Station, San Francisco, Ca. and thence to USS Saratoga.CV3 at Bremerton, Wa. where Saratoga was undergoing repairs from torpedo damage by Japanese. Remained aboard Saratoga during remainder of 1NWII participating in nine major battles in Pacific and Indian Ocean, the last being Iwo Jima where Saratoga was hit by seven suicide, Kamikazi, planes with damage to flight deck and hull sufficient to send Saratoga to Bremerton for repairs. At the wars end Saratoga was training Air squadrons at Pearl Harbor. I had applied for an appointment to Annapolis; however, that was cancelled. Saratoga was utilized as a troop transport from Pearl Harbor to San Francisco for several months by constructing berthing six bunks high on the Hanger Deck. Remained aboard Saratoga until completion of Atomic Bomb tests in October 1946. Worked on ships that had not been sunk until reporting to USS MOUNT KATMAI,AE16 as Chief Electricians Mate, Acting Appointment attaining CEM,PA where the next two years were utilized in movement of new and old munitions. Applied for entry at Ames Iowa Veterinary College and was told there was a two year waiting list, so, decided to make the U.S. Navy a career and re-enlisted for six years. Underwent appendicitis operation at Oakland Naval Hospital Feb 1948. Reported to USS VALCOUR AVP55 at Cristoball Colon. Panama Canal May 1948. Since there was another CEM aboard, was sent to Class B Interior Communication School at Anacostia, Washington, DC for six months TAD that commenced in Sep 1948. This included schooling in Gyro-Compass maintenance and repair, electronics and shipboard telephone and communications systems. Returned to Valcour at Norfolk, Va. Valcour was then to be Station Ship at Bahrain, Persian Gulf for six months. Upon returning to Norfolk in Feb 1949, was assigned to Instructor Training School at Norfolk, in preparation for duty as an Instructor at Class A Electricians Mate School, USNTC, GrLks. II. Taught electrical students, including specialized classes, including Turkish students for one year during which I assisted in setting up a Class B Electricians Mate School. Also met and married Colleen Ellen Anderson who was attending a post graduate Nursing course on premature infants at Chicago Lying In Hospital. We married at North Chicago Nov 18 1950. After undergoing a horrific winter, I was recommended to go to Tacoma Park, Md. near Washington, DC to set up a Class A Elect. School. After consultation with Colleen we decided to accept in order to avoid another winter like the one we had just suffered. Moved there in May 1951. This lasted for two years and was given my choice of duty. We opted for a tour of duty with the USNAVAL MISSION TO VENEZUELA.SA. Upon acceptance, attended Spanish Language School at the USN intelligence School Anacostia, Wash. DC. After leave time in Illinois and Indiana, traveled to New York to board a Grace Line Cruise Ship Santa Rosa, destination La Guira, Venezuela. Upon arrival, our oldest son Charles Eugene, less than one month old, had been in nine states five days at sea and three foreign countries. We had also lost our first daughter Carol Ellen while at Tacoma Park. The Venezuela assignment lasted until Sep 1956. during which our second son Carl Evart was born May 1955. Leaving Venezuela in Sep 1956, we returned to Service School Command GrLks, II. where I attended the Class B Electricians School that I had helped set up in 1950. Needless to say, I was asked to teach many of the classes. In March 1957 received orders to USS HANK DD702 at Norfolk, Va. The HANK served as Station Ship at Bahrain, Persian Gulf until Feb 1958. I was then ordered to Recruit Training Command, USNTC, GRLKS, IL. as a Company Commander, (Drill Instructor). While on this assignment, I was advanced to Senior Chief Elect. Mate in 1958, Master Chief Elect. Mate (E9) in 1959 and commissioned to LtJg in 1961. After attending Officer Candidate School at Newport, RI. was ordered to USS TORTUGA LSD26 at San Diego, Ca. During the RTC period Clayton Eric was born 21 June 1959 and Colleen Erin was born 10 Nov 1960. (This endeared me to Marines). While aboard TORTUGA I attended Atomic, Biological and Chemical Warfare School At Treasure Island, Ca. and two six month cruises to South Pacific, i.e. Hawaii, Philippines, Japan, Hong Kong, etc. Also promoted to Lieutenant. In Sep 1963 was ordered to Recruit Training Command. USNTC,GRLKS,IL. as a Battalion Commander, then Regimental CDR and after six months to Brigade CDR(Military Training Officer) where I remained until Sep 1966. Was then ordered to Engineering Officers School at San Diego, Ca. for six weeks, then to the USS VALLEY FORGE,LPH8 at Long Beach, Ca. Served as Auxiliaries officer for first year, Boilers officer second year and was promoted to Lieutenant Commander and Electrical officer the third year. During that period VALLEY FORGE participated in ten Vietnam campaigns. In Sep 1969 was ordered to Defense Contract Administrations Service Office as Chief of Engineering. This was to be my last duty station prior to retiring 1 July 1971 after 30 years one month and four days continuous Naval Service. Decorations include numerous commendations, two Navy Achievement Medals, Good Conduct Medals for 20 years, American Defense, American Area, VWVI I Victory, Asiatic-Pacific with 9 stars, Vietnam Service, Vietnam Campaign with 10 stars, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry. National Defense. After many trips across the U.S. and world wide travels the decision was made to terminate travels at Houston, Mo, and no change has been made. I hope everyone finds this interesting and should I receive encouragement, maybe the book will be attempted. Truly and sincerely, CEV
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