Captain (Ret) John P. Gaughan, winner of the Kansas Federalist “Walk of Honor” Award

The Kansas Federalist www.kansasfederalist.com has recently started a new category entitled, “The Greatest Generation.” Those men and women who fought significant battles, faced poverty and despair, and never gave up on God, their families, or their country. The word “sacrifice” describes this great group of Americans that were born between 1900 and 1930.

As a result of this effort, the Kansas Federalist purchased its first brick at the Liberty Memorial “Walk of Honor” honoring a person from this “Greatest Generation.” The 2008 TKF Honoree is Captain (Ret) John P. Gaughan, USAF, of Shawnee Mission, Kansas. Captain Gaughan was a WWII, P-51 fighter pilot in the US Army Air Corps and flew combat missions in Europe. When the Korean War flared up, John was one of the first Jet fighter-pilots and flew combat missions this time in the new US Air Force, and in an F-86 Sabre. John, once again, served his country during the Viet Nam War as a jet pilot instructor for the US Air Force.

After serving his country, Capt. Gaughan then became an entrepreneur and small business owner in the insurance industry. John and his beautiful wife, Geraldine, have 10 children and a small army of grandchildren. John and Gerry are the heart and soul of the St Agnes Community in NE Johnson County.

Captain John P. Gaughan was presented his Liberty Memorial Certificate on March 20th at his home in Fairway with many of his children and grandchildren present. “This certificate and “Walk of Honor” brick will be at Liberty Memorial for all eternity and is dedicated to you, Captain Gaughan, for your gallant and heroic service to our Country,” said Sheriff (Ret) Currie Myers, editor and publisher of the Kansas Federalist. The brick memorializing Captain Gaughan’s service will be on view with the other dedicated hero’s and will be installed by Memorial Day, 2008.

The Kansas Federalist is honored to have Captain Gaughan as the first award winner and will set the standard for future TKF award winners. May God bless brave men like John Gaughan!