Farewell and Walk with God, Sgt Michael Vaughan

Army Sgt Michael Vaughan

Killed April 23, 2007

Sadah, Iraq

Sgt. Michael Vaughan, 20, of Otis, Oregon was one of the nine soldiers killed in a suicide truck bomb attack by Al-Quaida in Sadah, Iraq. Twenty others were wounded in the attack. He was promoted to Sgt postumously. He served with 5th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C. The other soldiers killed with him were:

1st Lt. Kevin J. Gaspers, 26, of Hastings, Nebraska
Staff Sgt. Kenneth E. Locker Jr., 28, of Wakefield, Nebraska
Staff Sgt. William C. Moore, 27, of Benson, N.C.
Sgt. Randell T. Marshall, 22, of Fitzgerald, Georgia
Sgt. Brice A. Pearson, 32, of Phoenix, Arizona
Spc. Jerry R. King, 19, of Browersville, Georgia
Spc. Michael J. Rodriguez, 20, of Sanford, N.C.
Pfc. Garrett C. Knoll, 23, of Bad Axe, Michigan

Sgt. Vaughan was a graduate of Taft High School. He was a wrestler and won a district championship title.

Sgt Vaughan's father is a disabled veteran from the Gulf War, and said he understood why his son wanted to volunteer for the Army at the age of 17, but he said he never anticipated the cost of Michael's service. "He came and asked me for my support, and I supported it, because he was such a strong advocate for our troops," his father said.

His family believes that friends and neighbors will remember Michael as someone who "always was standing up for what was right."

Michael is survived by his parents, George and Debra Vaughan of Otis, Oregon.

Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and his unit at this difficult time.

The community held a candlelight vigil on April 26. To see photos of this event, go here. Notice all the signs in the community have messages for Michael.

The Patriot Guard Riders attended the vigil and will be attending the airport arrival, the service and the burial.

For more information on the members of the 82nd Airborne who were lost and the service to be held for them on May 8, please go here.