Description
RAF Biggin Hill FDC signed by American Great War ace George Vaughn
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.
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 (along with Philadelphia-born Joseph "Child Yank" Boudwin), 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, on September 22, 1918.
In November 1919, Vaughn was presented with the Distinguished Flying Cross by the Prince of Wales aboard H.M.S. Renown, anchored in New York harbour
