Brigadier General Staryl C. Austin Jr.

A native Oregonian, Staryl C.Austin attended public schools in Bend, Albany, and Salem, Oregon, graduating from Salem High School in 1938. In September 1942, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps Civilian Pilot program. Since 1943, he has served in many military leadership capacities in the U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard. As a first lieutenant, he flew in the European theater of operations. He completed 58 combat missions while flying the rugged P-47 Thunderbolt. His unit’s mission was air-to-ground support while destroying key German ground targets to pave the way for the Allies’ advance across France, Belgium, and Germany. In 1953, Austin joined the Oregon Air National Guard. Eventually, he served as the 142nd Fighter Group’s air officer, chief of the administrative division, and assistant adjutant general until his retirement in December 1981. During his military service, he earned the Air Force’s Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Air Medal with seven oak leaf clusters, and the European-African-Middle East Campaign Medal with four battle stars.