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  F4U-1D Corsair Bureau Number 82356  
USN
USS Bennington CV-20
VMF-123

Pilot  2nd Lt. Warren Earl Vaughn, O-029620 USMCR (POW, executed, MIA) Childress, TX
Crashed  February 23, 1945

Aircraft History
Built by Vought. Delivered to the U.S. Navy (USN) as F4U-1D Corsair bureau number 82356.

Wartime History
Assigned to the United States Marine Corps (USMC) Marine Fighter Squadron 123 (VMF-123) "Flying Eight Balls" aboard USS Bennington CV-20. No known nickname or nose art.

Mission History
On February 23, 1945 took off from USS Bennington CV-20 piloted by 2nd Warren Earl Vaughn on a mission against Chi Chi Jima. Over the target, this aircraft was shot down. When this aircraft failed to return it was officially listed as Missing In Action (MIA).

Fates of the Crew
Afterwards, Vaughn was captured by the Japanese and became a Prisoner Of War (POW). On March 15, 1945 Vaughn was beheaded by the Japanese. Afterwards, his body was cremated and his ashes scattered at sea.

Memorials
Vaughn was officially declared dead on March 15, 1945. He earned the Air Medal, Purple Heart, posthumously. Vaughn sis memorialized at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) on the courts of the missing, court 4.

References
Navy Serial Number Search Results - F4U-1D Corsair 82356
USN Overseas Aircraft Loss List February 1945 - F4U-1D Corsair 82356

NARA World War II Prisoners of War Data File - Warren Vaughn
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Warren Earl Vaughn
FindAGrave - Warren Earl Vaughn (photo, courts of the missing)

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Last Updated
April 18, 2021

Tech Info
F4U

POW
POW / MIA
1 Prisoner
Executed
Missing
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