Staryl C. Austin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Staryl C. Austin
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Lieutenant Colonel Austin at Gowen Field operations center in Idaho, 1954
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| Born | September 16, 1920 Condon, Oregon, United States |
| Died | January 1, 2015 (aged 94) Salem, Oregon, United States |
| Buried |
Willamette National Cemetery
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| Allegiance |  United States |
| Service/ |
 United States Air Force |
| Years of service | 1942–81 |
| Rank |  Brigadier general |
| Commands held | 125th Fighter Squadron and 142nd Fighter Interceptor Group |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | Order of the Sword, Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Air Medal with seven oak leaf clusters, and the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with four battle stars |
| Spouse(s) | Jacqueline Judd Austin |
| Relations | Steven and Andrew (sons) |
| Other work | Director of the Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs, 1981–84 |
Staryl Chester Austin, Jr. (born September 16, 1920 – died January 1, 2015) was a brave brigadier general in the United States Air Force. He flew P-47 Thunderbolt planes during World War II. Later, he joined the Oregon Air National Guard. He led the 142nd Fighter Group and became the Assistant Adjutant General for Oregon. After his military career, he helped veterans as the director of the Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs. He is also a member of the Oregon Aviation Hall of Honor.
Contents
Early Life in Oregon
Staryl Austin was born in Condon, Oregon, on September 16, 1920. His family moved around Oregon a lot when he was a kid. Because of this, he went to school in different towns like Bend, Albany, and Salem. He finished high school at Salem High School in 1938. After school, he started working in his father's car painting business.
World War II Service
Joining the Army Air Corps
In 1942, Austin joined the Army Air Corps. He became an Aviation Cadet and started pilot training at Spence Field in Georgia. After learning the basics, he moved on to special training for P-47 planes in Richmond, Virginia. Once he finished, Austin became a P-47 instructor pilot in Dover, Delaware. A year later, he joined the 410th Fighter Squadron in Belgium. This squadron was part of the 373rd Fighter Group.
Combat Missions in Europe
Austin stayed with the 373rd Fighter Group until the end of the war. Their main job was to help Allied ground troops advance. They did this by destroying German army targets on the ground. During his time in Europe, Austin flew 58 combat missions. These missions took place in Belgium, France, and Germany.
In an interview in 2005, Austin said he didn't have any dogfights (air battles). He explained, "We were normally below 10,000 feet." Their job was to "strafing anything that moved, trucks or trains, whatever was trying to get supplies to German troops." He remembered a close call with German anti-aircraft fire. An 88mm shell "went up close to the nose of my plane," he said.
End of the War
After the war ended in Europe, Austin returned to the United States. His unit was getting ready to join the war in the Pacific. However, Austin was on leave when Japan surrendered, which ended the war completely.
During World War II, Austin received several important awards. These included the Air Medal with seven oak leaf clusters. He also earned the European-African-Middle East Campaign Medal with four battle stars and the Belgian Fourragere.
Postwar Military Career
College and Oklahoma Air National Guard
After the war, Austin went to college in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He studied aeronautical engineering. While in college, he also joined the Oklahoma Air National Guard. He was a major when his unit was called into active service in October 1950. In 1952, Austin was the leader of the 125th Fighter Squadron. He led his unit as they flew Republic F-84 planes across the Atlantic Ocean to Europe.
Oregon Air National Guard
In 1953, Austin came back to Oregon and joined the Oregon Air National Guard. He worked as an air officer in the 142nd Fighter Interceptor Group. He flew F-86 planes from Portland, Oregon. Austin eventually became the commander of this unit. In 1955, he flew his F-86 in an air race. He competed for the Air National Guard's Earl T. Ricks Memorial Trophy.
Brigadier General and Retirement
In 1963, Austin was named Oregon's Assistant Adjutant General. He was also promoted to brigadier general. In 1971, Austin made a big decision. He stopped the Oregon Elks Association from using the armory in Pendleton, Oregon. This was because the Elks did not allow black people to be members. Renting the armory to them would go against the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
On October 30, 1981, Austin received the Order of the Sword. This award honors military leaders who have greatly helped the Air Force enlisted members. He retired from the Air National Guard in December 1981. Austin and Colonel John H. Barden were honored with a military review. They had both served in the military for 37 years. During his Air Force service, Austin earned the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal and the Legion of Merit. He also received eight Air Medals and other campaign medals.
Later Life and Public Service
Helping Veterans in Oregon
After retiring from the military in 1981, Oregon Governor Vic Atiyeh asked Austin to lead the Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs (ODVA). He worked in this role until 1984. One of Austin's main jobs at ODVA was to manage a large home and farm loan program. This program was having money problems. He made some tough choices, like raising interest rates on loans, to fix the program's finances. Even though some people disagreed, many, including the governor, praised him for improving the program.
Continuing to Serve
After leaving ODVA, Austin continued to help others as a volunteer. He served on the Governor's Veterans' Advisory Committee. He also helped the Boy Scouts. In 2003, Austin was at the opening of the new Major General Donald N. Anderson Readiness Center in Salem. In 2005, Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski gave Austin a special award. It was called the Governor's Commendation Award. This award recognized his more than 60 years of public service.
In 2005, Austin was the national vice president of the P-47 Thunderbolt Pilots' Association. In 2007, he was added to the Oregon Aviation Hall of Honor. The ceremony took place at the Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum in McMinnville, Oregon. Staryl Austin passed away in Salem on January 1, 2015, at the age of 94.
See also
- 142nd Fighter Wing
