9th Army Air Force
21st Tactical Air Command
36th Fighter Bomber Group
32nd Air Service Group
Squadron 493rd Air Service Group
Vaughan Parker Pitman was born on Jan. 14, 1922 in Laconia, NH. He attended school in Laconia, The Governor’s Academy and the University of New Hampshire before enlisting in the service for World War II.
Vaughan underwent training at the Venice Army Air Field in Venice, Florida, USA in autumn of 1943. During the war, he served in the Army Air Force from 1943-45 in Normandy, northern France, Rhineland and Central Europe. He served as a photographic technician and was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, the Victory Medal and the Middle African Middle Eastern Theater Campaign Ribbon.
He worked with his father, Charles, in the family business, Pitman Hosiery, for 23 years, and was in sales for Nashua Corp. for 26 years.
He was a civic leader, serving on the boards of the Laconia and Nashua YMCAs, and led Y Indian Guide Programs, the Hollis Conservation Commission for 18 years and the Hollis Historical Society during the restoration of the Hollis Engine House. He was treasurer of the Nashua Area Juvenile Diabetes Association; an active member of the Congregational Church of Hollis, United Church of Christ, serving on its Mission & Action Board; treasurer of the Hillsborough UCC Association; a delegate to the NH United Church of Christ Conference, and a volunteer at the Horton Center on Pine Mountain.
He was thrilled to participate in outdoor activities, hiking the White Mountains, skiing, snowshoeing and sailing. He organized the White’s Hill Outing Club in Gilford and the Hollis Cross-Country Ski Group, and enjoyed camping with his family all over New England, through Canada and across the U.S. in the family motor home.
He and his beloved wife, Dorothy, were married in 1947 in Lisbon, NH, and they shared several European trips with family and friends. They spent more than 20 winters at Sanibel Island, Fla., and on Key West, and more than two decades as seasonal campers at the Mayo Farm on Lake Waukewan in Center Harbor, where Vaughan loved to share in the peace of Waukewan’s blessed, unspoiled New Hampshire beauty. His spirit of optimism in the face of adversity is one of his most enduring gifts left behind for family and friends, along with warm memories of his wonderful smile and infectious good humor.
Click HERE to watch a video of the Pitman Hosiery and Family History by Vaughan
