Vaughn Nark devoted almost 20 years to playing trumpet for the Airmen of Note, the distinguished jazz band of the U.S. Air Force. During his time with the ensemble from the early '70s until 1993, when he retired, he held the positions of jazz trumpeter and lead trumpeter. His outstanding service and musicianship was acknowledged with the Meritorious Service Medal, which was conferred by order of the President. A fine example of Nark's trumpet playing can be heard on the Airmen of Note CD Flying High. Nark, who also plays the trombone and flügelhorn, played for the Olympics when the games were held in Atlanta, and at the premiere performance of the Jazz Masterworks Orchestra at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.