Rank Major General Name Harry Vaughan | ||
 | ||
Born November 26, 1893
Glasgow, Missouri ( 1893-11-26 ) Allegiance United States of America Years of service 1917-1953 (Army Reserves) Commands held Military Aide to President Truman 1945-1953 Battles/wars World War I
World War II Awards Silver Star (2)
Bronze Star (2)
Commendation Medal (3)
Croix de guerre 1914–1918 Died May 20, 1981, Fort Belvoir, Virginia, United States | ||
Service/branch United States Army Battles and wars World War I, World War II | ||
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. 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.
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.
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." Vaughan admitted repeated episodes of trading access to the White House for expensive gifts.
Vaughan died at Fort Belvoir, Virginia's DeWitt Army Hospital on May 21, 1981. He was buried at Ivy Hill Cemetery in Alexandria, Virginia.