Preserving The Oral HistorIES of Combat Veterans

COMBAT STORIES FROM World War II

Bill Vaughan | 43rd Infantry Division - Army

3:04   |   When Bill Vaughan's unit started out to secure Ipo Dam in the Philippines, they had 180 men. At the end, there were 34 left. Soon he was serving occupation duty in Japan, courtesy of President Truman's fateful decision to use the atomic bomb. (This interview made possible with the support of MARILYN M. WOODHOUSE.)

More From Bill Vaughan

Keywords   :     Bill Vaughan    Ipo Dam    Manila Philippines    Japan    Harry Truman    atomic bomb    occupation duty    Japanese

Videos ( 4 )
WWII
  • Bill Vaughan  |  WWII  |  43rd Infantry Division  |  5:01

    He wanted the Navy but there were a couple of tough looking MP's there so he accepted it when they told him he was in the Army. Before long, Bill Vaughan was going ashore at Luzon as a machine gunner. He was only in the battle a few days when he was hit and had to be evacuated. (This interview made possible with the support of MARILYN M. WOODHOUSE.)

  • Bill Vaughan  |  WWII  |  43rd Infantry Division  |  2:49

    The Banzai charges would come at night. Machine gunner Bill Vaughan was in his foxhole and had the advantage, but he was always glad to see daylight come. The living conditions on Luzon were not good, basically a hole with water in it and swarms of malaria causing mosquitoes. (This interview made possible with the support of MARILYN M. WOODHOUSE.)

  • Bill Vaughan  |  WWII  |  43rd Infantry Division  |  4:07

    The Japanese were trying to regroup, but Bill Vaughan's unit had the high ground and took care of them in short order. They had fortified Luzon very well, hiding artillery pieces in caves high in the mountains and rolling them out at night to blast Allied ships. (This interview made possible with the support of MARILYN M. WOODHOUSE.)

  • Bill Vaughan  |  WWII  |  Multiple Units  |  3:23

    While serving occupation duty in Japan, Bill Vaughan was shuffled through multiple units until he finally had enough points to return home. The banner that greeted him was very complimentary, but it made him think of those who didn't make it back. He headed for Georgia, where his high school sweetheart had waited for him. (This interview made possible with the support of MARILYN M. WOODHOUSE.)

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