C. Holman Austin Jr.

C. Holman Austin Jr. Chief Petty OffiCer, E-8, US Navy
Jan. 1942-1946


Holman Austin enlisted into the Navy right after Pearl Harbor. He trained in California and then served in the Paciflc on an LST transport ship. He was the ship's chief quartermaster. He was in the combat zone for 3 years. During attacks, he was in charge of a twin 40 anti-aircraft gun. He always said that the Japanese kamikaze pilots would fly so low that he could see the color of their eyes. His gun was given credit for shooting down 2 and a half kamikaze planes.

Mr. Austin joined the Texas Air National Guard in 1950. He was called up because of the Korean War and stationed at the air base in Greenville, SC. He missed the birth of his only child on Nov. 21, l95l. He served six years. He was the husband of Elizabeth Austin and the father of Kay Austin Vassaur. He died in 1978 at the age of68.