1930
Dr. Vaughan is born in Clearwater, Florida to William Walton and Ella Vermelle Vaughan.
1951
Dr. Vaughan receives a Bachelor of Science in mathematics and physical science education with honors from the University of Florida.
1951
Dr. Vaughan joins the U.S. Air Force, rising in the ranks to Captain.
1952
Dr. Vaughan receives a graduate certificate in atmospheric science from the Air Force Institute of Technology and Florida State University.
1955
Dr. Vaughan becomes a scientific assistant in the Air Force Armament Center at the Eglin Air Force Base in Florida.
1958
Dr. Vaughan becomes a scientific assistant for the Army Ballistic Missile Agency in Huntsville, Alabama.
1960
Dr. Vaughan is appointed chief of the Atmospheric Sciences Division at the Marshall Space Flight Center of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in Huntsville.
1971
Dr. Vaughan receives the Exceptional Service Medal from NASA.
1976
Dr. Vaughan receives a Doctor of Philosophy in engineering science from The University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
1979
Dr. Vaughan becomes a charter member of the Federal Senior Executive Service (now Senior Executive Service (SES)) of NASA.
1980
Dr. Vaughan receives the Losey Atmospheric Science Award from the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.
1986
Dr. Vaughan is appointed director of the Research Institute at The University of Alabama in Huntsville, where he also serves as a research professor of atmospheric science.
1994
Dr. Vaughan retires and becomes NASA Emeritus.
2003
Dr. Vaughan receives the Excellence in Aerospace Standards Award from the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.
2007
Dr. Vaughan receives the Distinguished Service Award from the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.
2013
Dr. Vaughan is appointed Associate Editor for Aerospace Meteorology of the Journal of Aerospace Technology and Management.
2015
Dr. Vaughan receives the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award from the Local District of the Boy Scouts of America and becomes a senior docent at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama.
2018
Dr. Vaughan authors “Systems Engineering: A Key for Success in Aerospace Operations,” published in the Aeronautics and Aerospace Open Access Journal.
2018
Dr. Vaughan is elected a member of the Huntsville Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR).
2019
Dr. Vaughan co-authors “Aerospace Vehicle Systems Engineering and the Importance of Meteorology Inputs in Design,” published in the International Journal of Astronautics and Aeronautical Engineering.