Sergeant Richard A. Vaughn, 22, of San Diego, Calif. was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas. He was killed on April 7, 2008, in Baghdad from wounds sustained when enemy forces attacked his convoy using an improvised explosive device, rocket-propelled grenades and small-arms fire. He was on the first patrol of his second tour in Iraq.

SGT Vaughn graduated from Serra High School in 2003 where was played football and was a star wrestler. His father was Navy and his grandfather was a Marine, but his interest in tanks drew him to the Army. He enlisted in November 2003 as an M1 Armor Crewman.

Known as “Ricky”, he turned into a hard-charging overachiever, becoming a sergeant in four years and mastering the workings of his tank. “He took me under his wing and set me on the right track for the rest of my military career. He was always one willing to teach and help his friends out anytime. He is truly one of a kind.” said fellow service member and friend Mike Haberek.

SGT Vaughn is survived by his wife of only a few months, Rachelle. She was pregnant at the time of his death.