LT WILLIAM M. AUSTIN, USN

Class 1951

Born October 30, 1927

Died July 10, 1956

Age 28

Hometown Charlottesville, Virginia

Lucky Bag Yearbook

From the 1951 Lucky Bag:

William M. Austin, Jr.

Born in the doubtful community of Visalia, California, Bill soon saw the error of his ways and settled down in Charlottesville, Virginia . . . he then moved to Costa Rica . . . yearning for the USA in general and white women in particular, Bill ventured to Charlottesville at the age of 17 . . . after a rough period in the fleet (Boots and V-5), Bill came to Navy Tech and since has been delighting all with facts about 150 pound football and music … a conscientious worker, Bill does his best in everything he tries, and he usually stands with the best . . . Bill plans a great future as a fly boy and we are sure he’ll succeed.

He was also a member of the 5th Battalion staff.

Loss

William Mines Austin was lost on July 10, 1956 when his F7U Cutlass went missing on during a flight from Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia. He was a member of Attack Squadron (VA) 86.

Other Information

From researcher Kathy Franz:

Bill played football for Lane High School his junior and senior years. In the 1944 yearbook, he was left tackle, 155 lbs, 5’11” with the quote: “Teamed up with Dwight Adams to spill the opponents. Very hard player and could take it.” He was voted Most Attractive his senior year and was a member of the “C” Club.

His father was William, a senior highway engineer for the federal Work Administration. His mother was Eva, and his brother was Harry.

William has a memory marker in Virginia.

Photographs

Chester Gates, Jr. ‘43 was his commanding officer and was piloting the other plane that was lost.

Class of 1951

William is one of 48 members of the Class of 1951 on Virtual Memorial Hall.