Plevan, Vaughn A. (Master Sergeant)
From the Burnet Bulletin, 28 Dec 1944
VAUGHAN PLEVAN DIED OF WOUNDS RECEIVED IN ACTION
It is with deep regret the Bulletin announces the death of Vaughan Plevan, from wounds received in action over the Asiatic theatre of war. This sad word was received by his loved ones from the War Department the latter part of last week. He is survived by his father and step-mother, Mr. and Mrs. E.F. Plevan, one brother, Clithel Plevan, who is somewhere overseas.
Vaughan was a Crew Chief in the Army Air Corps and was in the first B-29 raid over Japan. His picture and plane were in Life Magazine of July 10th, 1944.
Vaughan was born at Bertram on August 5th, 1921, and joined the Air Corps in December 1939, when he was only 18 years of age. He graduated from the Burnet High School in May 1939, and was highly esteemed by his classmates and all who knew him. Part of the time he was attending school in Burnet, he lived at the Burnet Hotel, and the writer was closely associated with him every day for many months. We can truthfully say that we have never known a young man of higher principles than those held by Vaughan, and he gained a warm place in the hearts of every member of our family, and his death to all of us seems like a personal loss. His loved ones have our deepest sympathy in the loss of their gallant son and brother.
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Letters received by family and published in the Burnet Bulletin, 1 Feb 1945
Headquarters,
XX Bomber Command,
Office of the Commanding General
APO 493
17 December 1944Mr. Emil F. Plevan, Burnet Texas
Dear Mr. Plevan:
On behalf of myself and the entire staff of the XX Bomber Command, I desire to extend our sincerest sympathy in the loss of your son, Master Sergeant Vaughan A. Plevan, who was killed in action on a recent combat mission against the enemy.
You have just cause to be proud of your son. He was held in high esteem by his Squadron and Group Commanders and was a fine, loyal and courageous soldier with an excellent record of achievement. He most certainly will be missed by all the men of his squadron.
I realize the loss you have sustained is greater than words can express, but I wish to assure you that his sacrifice will be remembered and answered for by the continued efforts of our entire Command.
Most sincerely yours,
Curtis E. LeMay
Major General, U.S.A., Commanding=========================
769th Bombardment Squadron
462nd Bombardment Group
APO 220
20 December 1944Mr. Emil F. Plevan, Burnet, Texas
Dear Mr. Plevan:
By now you have received the unfortunate tidings of your son's, Master Sergeant Vaughn A. Plevan, 6293629, untimely death. As his Squadron Commander, I have had many opportunities to observe your son's performance of duty and have always found it to be of a superior nature. He will be hard to replace in this unit. As you know he joined us when we first organized and went through the rigorous training, emerging as a trained combat crewman, eager for a blow at the enemy. He had that chance on his arrival in India and participated in several combat missions.
Master Sergeant Plevan met his death while on a combat mission over enemy territory, the city of Mukden, Manchuria on the 7th of December 1944 while performing his duties during the flight. A Japanese aircraft attacked the bomber in which he was a member of, and a bullet from the attacking Japanese aircraft struck Master Sergeant Plevan which caused his death almost instantaneously. His body was flown to Hsinching, China where it was buried by his fellow crewmen.
Feel free to write me if you desire additional information.
Yours very truly,
Edwin A. Loberg
Lt. Col., Air Corps, Commanding
