Posted on 09/22/2013 5:51:18 PM PDT by RaceBannon
A veteran of three U.S. armed conflicts who's believed to be a direct descendent of Francis "Swamp Fox" Marion has died.
Goldfinch Funeral Home in Conway, which is handling arrangements, confirmed Saturday afternoon that Lt. Gen. James B. Vaught died Sept. 20, 2013. He was 86. Services have been scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, at Tilly Swamp Baptist Church outside of Conway, according to a Goldfinch Funeral Home representative. Horry County Coroner Robert Edge said Vaught died at about 5:30 p.m. Friday. He was found in a pond off Old Reaves Ferry Road outside of Conway, and was pronounced dead at the scene. Edge said Vaught was at the pond in a pontoon boat. Vaught's family called 911 after he didn't return home. Divers found Vaught in the pond after a search. Edge said the pontoon boat was about 30 feet from shore. "We're assuming he fell off the pontoon," Edge said. An autopsy will be conducted later Saturday to determine the cause of death and also how Vaught may have fallen into the water.
"I'm sure he'll be missed by his family and in the political world too," Edge said.
Born Nov. 3, 1926, Gen. Vaught served in three wars - World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. He retired to the Myrtle Beach area, where he remained an active public servant and citizen.
Vaught has received, among other recognitions, the Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Legion of Merit with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Distinguished Flying Cross, Soldier’s Medal, Bronze Star with one Oak Leaf Cluster, the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with numeral 5, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, the Purple Heart and the Combat Infantryman Badge with one Star.
Rep. Alan Clemmons, R-Myrtle Beach, released a statement along with a photo of himself with Gen. Vaught on Clemmons' Facebook page.
"I am very sad to report that a local and national military hero, Lt. General James Vaught, passed away last night. General Vaught has been my dear friend since he and his beautiful bride, Florence, returned to his native Horry County for retirement. I am grateful for his lifetime of contributions to our nation, but more so for his friendship and advice over the years. If you didn't have the honor of knowing General Vaught, I have attached a link to some information on his amazing career and life. Please join me in a prayer of comfort for Miss Florence and the Vaught family," the statement said.
William Fairebairn lied about his age and joined the British Army at age 12. He eventually became head of the Shanghai Riot Police. I have read that he was considered the toughest man in the army. He learned Jiu Jitsu from a Chinese master and was the first non Asian to become a master himself.
He taught the British Commandos and eventually the American OSS which became the CIA. He never drank, smoked or used profanity in any way.
Keep in mind, too, the average eighth grader had a better education than most high school kids now, and did their math without a calculator.
Thank you for your service
As a descendant of Francis Marion, does anybody know if Vaught was a conservative? One would think so. We know he was a hero veteran of three wars, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he was politically a conservative.
RIP General.
Thanks for letting us know Race.
Another fallen American Hero!ThankYou,General Vaught and GOD Bless You!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
he told me the Joint Chiefs hated Carter... :)
I’m gonna have to do some research. My grandma was a Vaught before she got married. I bet I’m related to this guy . My relatives have been in the myrtle beach area since the 1600’s.
God speed General. They don’t make them like you anymore.
RIP.
Lord Jesus, rest Thy servant James with the saints.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, amen.
Everything I have read about Iran hostage rescue attempt was that it was a terribly ill-planned and equipped fiasco.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/10340663/Lieutenant-General-James-Vaught.html
What was your perception?
it was the best plan available, done as best could be done by the men who were on it
The worst part was the failure of the Navy to upkeep the helos before the mission.
In my conversation with Vaught in 2010, he told me a few things, I wont repeat most of them, but he was furious at the Navy and told them so for failing to fly them as often as he demanded to keep them ready.
The helos used in the mission were NOT the helos they trained in. If that was the case, there would have been no failure of the aircraft
Marion had performed some historical acts that may not have been considered acceptable by today’s lights.
Martin, being ahistorical could be thrououghly admirable.
Ya got me curios now.
What did he do?
Marion was also tasked with combating groups of freed slaves working or fighting alongside the British. He received an order from the Governor of South Carolina, to execute any blacks suspected of carrying provisions or gathering intelligence for the enemy “agreeable to the laws of this State”.
One suspects that he carried out that order.
And the usual slave holder antics of kidnapping, rape, torture and murder as necessary. Nothing out of the ordinary.
In “the Patriot” Martin made the point that his workers of African Heritage were free men, and the British commander wanted to treat them as slaves. The fact was, Marion had slaves, and the British offered them freedom. Because of that, some African heritage people would carry food and intelligence to the British.
Of course Tarleton and Marion both killed prisoners. Reciprocity is one way to encourage an enemy to change his behavior.
Thank You!!
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