Specialist Travis R. Vaughn died Feb. 18, 2007, in southeastern Afghanistan when his MH-47E Chinook Helicopter crashed while conducting operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

He was born Sept. 1, 1980, in Waterloo, Iowa.

Vaughn, a 1999 graduate of Cedar Falls High School, volunteered for Army service in October 2003 as a Chinook Helicopter repairer. After completing initial training at Fort Jackson, S.C., and advanced individual training at Fort Eustis, Va., Vaughn was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 52nd Aviation Regiment, Camp Humphries, Korea. He arrived at the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) in July 2005 and completed the regiment’s “Green Platoon” course, an initial selection and training requirement prior to assignment. He was assigned to the regiment's 2nd Battalion as a MH-47E Maintenance Team Member and most recently with B Company as a MH-47E Crew Chief. Vaughn had previously deployed twice in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

Vaughn’s schools include the Chinook Helicopter Repairer Course, Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course, Combatives Level 1, and the Special Operations Training Course.

His awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, and Aviation Crewmember Badge.  He was posthumously awarded the Meritorious Service Medal.

Specialist Vaughn is survived by his wife, Heather, and son, Taylin.

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