Sgt. Harry L. Austin, 6969522
404 Replacement Co., 18th Battalion
8th Rep’l. Depot, A. P. O. 532, N. Y.
Sgt. Austin was born April 18, 1921, Waxhaw, Union County, N. C.
He was killed near Castelfrance, Italy, while serving with a Military Police Patrol on a mission to apprehend a spy on March 1, 1945.
A Memorial service was held in his honor May 6, 1945 at King Street Baptist Church in Waxhaw where he was an active member. The service was conducted by Rev. N. S. Joyner, pastor of the church, assisted by Dr. C. C. Burris, Pres. of Wingate College and Rev. J. B. Fitzgerald, pastor of Waxhaw Methodist Church.
The body of Sgt. Austin was brought home in November 1948 and graveside services were held on the family plot in the Waxhaw city cemetery, Sunday afternoon, November 21st at three o’clock P.M. Military honors were accorded by Battery C. 540th F. A. Battalion of the National Guard Unit of Monroe. Rev. N. S. Joyner conducted the service. Honorary pallbearers were members of the Charles McGuirt Post No. 208 of the Waxhaw American Legion
Sgt. Austin attended the Waxhaw N. C. and Van Wyck, S. C. schools. He attended the King St. Baptist church in Waxhaw where he was active in the Young Peoples’ Department.
At the age of 18, Sgt. Austin volunteered for the Army and was inducted at Ft. Bragg April 18, 1939. He received his basic training in the Field Artillery and was stationed at Ft. Bragg until December 1943. He was then sent to Ft. Sill, Okla. for a three months mechanic course. After finishing this course in March 1944 he was sent back to Ft. Bragg, where he was stationed until sent overseas.
Sgt. Austin was sent overseas in May 1944. He served ten months prior to his death in N. Africa and Italy where he received two battle stars.
Sgt. Austin was married to Jewel Crenshaw of Van Wyck, S. C. in Lancaster, S. C. May 3rd, 1941. His wife joined him at Ft. Bragg and a son, James Lee Austin, was born at the Ft. Bragg hospital May 26, 1942.
Besides his parents, widow and son, Sgt. Austin is survived by one sister, Mrs. Helen Austin Barbee, of Charlotte, N. C.
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