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Austin A. Straubel | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | (1904-09-14)September 14, 1904 |
| Died | February 3, 1942(1942-02-03) (aged 37) |
| Buried | Woodlawn Cemetery, Green Bay, Wisconsin |
| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Branch |  U.S. Army Air Forces |
| Years of service | 1928–1942 |
| Rank |  Major |
| Commands | .png) 7th Bombardment Group (Acting),11th Bombardment Squadron |
| Battles / wars | World War II |
| Memorials | Austin Straubel International Airport |
| Spouse | Isabel Lawson Walthall |
Austin A. Straubel (September 4, 1904 – February 3, 1942) was a major in theUnited States Army Air Forces fromGreen Bay, Wisconsin. Straubel wasBrown County's first aviation loss inWorld War II, andGreen Bay–Austin Straubel International Airport was named in his honor.
Austin was born to Carl A. and Alice C. (Van Dycke) Straubel on September 14, 1904, one of four children and the couple's only son. Austin Straubel's grandfather, H. August Straubel, was among the early settlers of Brown County, Wisconsin, arriving in 1846. August Straubel later joined the army and fought for the North in the Civil War.[citation needed]
Straubel played tackle on the Green Bay East High School's football team. He attended theUniversity of Wisconsin where he continued playing football. While at UW he joinedDelta Kappa Epsilon fraternity.[1] After graduating in 1927,[1] he returned to Green Bay and worked at his father's business, Midwest Cold Storage.[citation needed]
Straubel married Isabel Lawson Walthall in 1936 and they moved to Los Angeles, where they had two daughters, Susan and Victoria ("Tori").[2][3]
Straubel joined the army in 1928.[1] In 1929, an aircraft that he was piloting in Michigan caught fire and crashed; Straubel parachuted to safety.[4]
On December 7, 1941, Straubel was commanding the 11th Bombardment Squadron, part of the 7th Bombardment Group (Heavy). The group was stationed at Hamilton Field,Hamilton Air Force Base California, and their ground support troops had sailed on November 21 for the Philippines. Straubel's squadron was preparing for their flight to the Philippines. The situation was confused: orders called for some aircraft to fly west while others flew east.[citation needed] Joined by the eight others in his crew, Straubel flew Consolidated LB-30 (B-24) AL-609, via the African route, arriving at Singasori Field,Malang,Java at 11:30 am on January 11, 1942. They were part of a mixed group of B-17s and LB-30s, some of which flew missions over the Pacific, while others, like Straubel, flew over the Indian Ocean.[citation needed]
In early 1942 in the Pacific Theater of World War II, the Allies tried to prevent the Japanese from occupying Borneo called theBattle of Makassar Strait.[citation needed] At the time, Straubel was commander of the11th Bombardment Squadron and acting commander of the7th Bombardment Group. Five aircraft were assigned the group's first mission on January 16. Straubel led three LB-30s and two B-17s. The Liberators (LB-30s) were to bomb the airfield at Langoan while the Fortresses (B-17s) were to attack ships in Manado Bay. Straubel earned the Distinguished Flying Cross for his efforts that day.[citation needed]
Straubel, unhappy with the relationship between 5th Bomber Command and his 7th Bomb Group, decided to meet with Major General,Lewis H. Brereton Deputy Chief of Staff. After meeting with Brereton, he departed forMalang Indonesia with three passengers the next day.[citation needed]
On February 3, 1942, Major Straubel was joined by 2nd Lieutenant Russell M. Smith, copilot, and Staff Sergeant George W. Pickett, flight engineer. The three were flying a Douglas B-18 "Bolo" (36-338) toBandung, Indonesia. While flying over theMakassar Strait, Straubel's aircraft was attacked by JapaneseZeros and shot down. Straubel managed to land on an emergency airstrip, but he and the crew died from gunfire.[3] According to another source, Straubel died from burns.[5][6]
Straubel was the first Brown County aviator to lose his life in World War II. In 1942, a U.S. Army camp in Australia was named after Straubel.[7] On March 20, 1946, the Brown County Airport Committee asked the Brown County Board of Supervisors to "consider naming the new Brown County Airport in memory of Austin Straubel" and the Brown County Board of Supervisors signed a resolution to name their new airportAustin Straubel Field after Straubel for his dauntless courage, devotion to duty and self-sacrifice, and that he be recognized and honored in a memorable manner.[citation needed]
Straubel, buried in Java, was reinterred at Green Bay's Woodlawn Cemetery on January 8, 1949.[citation needed]
