Note: Austin's remains were one of only a few of a total of 580 that lost their lives on the S.S. Paul Hamilton.

Austin served as a Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II.

He resided in Richmond County, New York and was previously a member of the New York National Guard prior to the war.

The National Guard unit he was previously a member of was called into full time active Army service on October 16, 1940, prior to the war, from New York City, New York. Since he had only been out of the Guard for less than three months he was called back into service with the unit. He was noted, at that time, as being employed as a Actor and also as Single, without dependents.

Austin was a passenger on the S.S. Paul Hamilton (Hull Number 227).

On her fifth voyage the S.S. Paul Hamilton left Hampton Roads, Virginia on April 2, 1944 as part of convoy U.G.S. 38, carrying supplies and the ground personnel of the 485th Bombardment Group and the 5th Reconnaissance Group of the United States Army Air Forces to Italy.

On the evening of April 20th the Hamilton and other ships in the convoy were attacked 30 miles (48 km) in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Cape Bengut near Algiers by 23 German Ju 88 bombers.

One aerial torpedo struck the Paul Hamilton and detonated the cargo of high explosives and bombs, and the ship and crew disappeared within 30 seconds. A total of approximately 580 men where lost.

Austin was "Killed In Action" in this sinking during the war.

He was awarded the Purple Heart.

He was originally interred in Tunisia and was later repatriated here on June 1, 1948.

Service # O-574815

( Bio & Family Link by: Russell S. "Russ" Pickett )

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The U.S.S. Lansdale (DD-426) was also sunk in this attack with a loss of Forty-seven officers and men.

The Lansdale received four battle stars for World War II service.

Note: Austin's remains were one of only a few of a total of 580 that lost their lives on the S.S. Paul Hamilton.

Austin served as a Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II.

He resided in Richmond County, New York and was previously a member of the New York National Guard prior to the war.

The National Guard unit he was previously a member of was called into full time active Army service on October 16, 1940, prior to the war, from New York City, New York. Since he had only been out of the Guard for less than three months he was called back into service with the unit. He was noted, at that time, as being employed as a Actor and also as Single, without dependents.

Austin was a passenger on the S.S. Paul Hamilton (Hull Number 227).

On her fifth voyage the S.S. Paul Hamilton left Hampton Roads, Virginia on April 2, 1944 as part of convoy U.G.S. 38, carrying supplies and the ground personnel of the 485th Bombardment Group and the 5th Reconnaissance Group of the United States Army Air Forces to Italy.

On the evening of April 20th the Hamilton and other ships in the convoy were attacked 30 miles (48 km) in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Cape Bengut near Algiers by 23 German Ju 88 bombers.

One aerial torpedo struck the Paul Hamilton and detonated the cargo of high explosives and bombs, and the ship and crew disappeared within 30 seconds. A total of approximately 580 men where lost.

Austin was "Killed In Action" in this sinking during the war.

He was awarded the Purple Heart.

He was originally interred in Tunisia and was later repatriated here on June 1, 1948.

Service # O-574815

( Bio & Family Link by: Russell S. "Russ" Pickett )

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The U.S.S. Lansdale (DD-426) was also sunk in this attack with a loss of Forty-seven officers and men.

The Lansdale received four battle stars for World War II service.