Join us at 6:30 PM, March 31, at Jack’s Restaurant & Bar, located at the Northwest corner of the Westgate Shopping Mall in San Jose, near Campbell (1502 Saratoga Ave, San Jose, CA 95129) and via ZOOM. This month’s topic is

Ron Vaughan on “The Mexican War”

How did the United States achieve victory in just two years, while failing to invade Canada in 1812—and while both Spain and France had previously failed to conquer Mexico? How did the USA succeed where others did not? This presentation will answer these questions and many more. It will also explore the critical role of U.S. junior officers who later rose to become generals in the Civil War.

Ron Vaughan holds an MA in History and a Secondary Teaching Credential. His master’s thesis was entitled “A Comparison of the Military Effectiveness of the U.S. Army and Mexico in 1846.” He is the author of two published books: Viva Juárez: A Source Book for the French Intervention in Mexico and Handbook for the Spanish Civil War, as well as numerous magazine articles on military history. His most recent article, “Joe Shelby’s Odyssey in Mexico,” appeared in the December 2022 issue of North & South magazine.

Ron has been an active historical re-enactor for the Roman era, the American Civil War, World War I, and World War II. He currently serves as Head Docent at the Tulare City Historical Museum and as Secretary and Editor for the San Joaquin Valley Civil War Round Table.