Prunier, Vaughn Dale

Description

Vaughn Dale Prunier
was born in Port Chester NY April 28, 1929, the son of Earl and Emilee Prunier. He had a brother Lawrence and two sisters Alma and Willa. In Rye the family lived at
60 Sound View Ave. Vaughn attended Rye public schools and was a Rye High School Graduate, Class of 1947.

In high school he was an outstanding athlete starring in three sports: Baseball, Basketball and Track. Dale also participated in student government, was a member of the Self Reliant Club and played in the Dance Band.

In 1950 Vaughn enlisted in the Air Force for four years after a two year aeronautical course at Stevens Technical Institute. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in April 1952 after cadet training in the Officers Training School at Phoenix, Ariz.

Vaughn married Mary Vallace, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mariano Vallace of 10 Clinton Street, Port Chester. They were married before he left for Phoenix for active Air Force duty.

Lieutenant Prunier was a member of the 311th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 58th Fighter-Bomber Group.

He flew forty combat missions in a Republic F-84 Thunderjet over Korea. The Thunderjet had a distinguished record during the Korean War. The USAF claimed F-84s were responsible for 60% of all ground targets destroyed in the war.

Vaughn was then sent to Japan for a self-rescue training course involving the use of self-propulsion seats from disabled jet fighter planes and was slated for a three-day course in Korea forest areas.

Rye Flyer Missing In Plane Crash Off Korea Coast

On November 15, 1952, Vaughn was a passenger on a C-46D Commando transport from the 34th Troop Carrier Squadron, 315th Troop Carrier Wing. The aircraft was transporting personnel from Kangnung Airfield (K-18) to Pohang Airfield (K-3) in South Korea. It crashed into the Sea of Japan shortly after take off.

Vaughn was originally reported as one of eleven men missing after a the C46 transport plunged into the Sea of Japan off the Korean East coast. Seven survivors had been reported.

Sadly there were no other survivors and Vaughn was one of the ten killed in the crash. His remains were not recovered.

Awarded:

Distinguished Flying Cross
Purple Heart
Air Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Korean Service Medal
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
United Nations Service Medal
Republic of Korea War Service Medal

At the time of his death he was survived by his wife is the former Mary Vallace, his parents, a brother, Lawrence Prunier of Harrison; two sisters, Mrs. Joseph Riska of Port Chester and Mrs. Chris Olivilo of San Francisco.

Vaughn Dale Prunier is memorialised at Kensico Cemetery in Valhalla, NY.

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