03
OCT
2015

Crash Landing in Croatia

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*IN MEMORIAM*

Mr. Austin passed away June 1, 2016. Here is his obituary from the Sierra Star.


Use controls above or click here to open this Hometown Heroes podcast in a new window

93-year-old Robert Austin of Oakhurst, CA shares his unique story on episode #387 of Hometown Heroes, debuting October 3, 2015. A native of Honolulu, HI, Austin served with the 459th Bomb Group, 757th squadron during World War II, flying B-24 bombers out of Cerignola, Italy.

Bob Austin with a model of a B-24 like the ones he flew during World War II. For more photos, visit the Hometown Heroes facebook page.

Bob Austin with a model of a B-24 like the ones he flew during World War II. For more photos, visit the Hometown Heroes facebook page.


You’ll Austin remember his early days on the island of Oahu, as well as the self-described “Army brat’s” memories of Fort Lewis, Washington, where he rubbed shoulders with a future U.S. President. Austin explains why he was in southern California when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, and how he ended up becoming a bomber pilot.
Bob Austin (right) training in a Fairchild PT-19.

Bob Austin (right) training in a Fairchild PT-19.


Bob loved the B-24 Liberator, and even tried to loop one while stationed overseas, but his most harrowing experience in the cockpit occurred on December 2, 1944. Listen to Hometown Heroes to hear about that long range mission to a target in Czechoslovakia, and why it ended in a muddy Croatian cornfield.

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