Charles Morrison Austin
Captain Charles Morrison Austin (28 April, 1883 – 12 February, 1939) served in the United States Navy.
Life & Career
Austin was born in Alabama but was appointed to the Naval Academy from Tennessee, where his father, Richard W. Austin, served four terms in Congress. Austin graduated with the Class of 1905 and was commissioned Ensign on 31 January, 1907.[1][2]
Austin was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant (Junior Grade) on 31 January, 1910 and to the rank of Lieutenant on 4 March, 1911.[3][4] From 1912 to 1915 he was assigned to the Office of the Judge Advocate General and earned a law degree from the George Washington University School of Law.[5][6]
He assumed his first command, torpedo boat Bailey in September, 1915 and remained in command into 1916.[7] Later in 1916 he was appointed commanding officer of destroyer Fanning, serving into 1917.[8]
Austin was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Commander on 23 May, 1917.[9] During World War I he served as Executive Officer of troop transport Aeolus and at the Naval Academy. He was promoted to the temporary rank of Commander on 1 July, 1918.[10][11]
Austin next commanded destroyer Broome - some sources indicate he assumed command in October 1919 while other place his assumption of command in February, 1920.[12][13] In 1921, he assumed command of destroyer Long and was then promoted to the permanent rank of Commander on 1 October.[14][15]
Throughout the 1920's, Austin served as the Assistant to the Judge Advocate General, and as Executive Officer of light cruiser Milwaukee. In the latter position he earned the Navy Cross leading a landing party in Nicaragua in 1927.[16][17][18]
In 1930 Austin was appointed to command survey ship Niagara. He was promoted to the rank of Captain on 1 October 1930.[19] One source indicates he briefly commanded auxiliary ship Antares in 1931.[20]
After serving on the staff of Commander Battleships, Battle Fleet, Austin was in charge of the Ammunition Depot at the Puget Sound Navy Yard from 1932 to 1935. His last sea command was heavy cruiser Astoria from 1935 to 1937.[21][22][23] Following service in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations Austin was assigned to the Third Naval District at the end of January, 1939. Two weeks later, he died of pneumonia following an operation in New York City.[24][25][26][27]
See Also
Bibliography
Service Records
| Naval Appointments | ||
| Preceded by Edward H. Loftin |
Captain of U.S.S. Bailey 1 Sep, 1915 – after 1 Jan, 1916[28] |
Succeeded by ? |
| Preceded by Clarence A. Richards |
Captain of U.S.S. Fanning before 9 Oct, 1916[29] – after 1 Jan, 1917[30] |
Succeeded by ? |
| Preceded by New Command |
Captain of U.S.S. Broome 31 Oct, 1919 |
Succeeded by Charles S. McWhorter |
| Preceded by Arthur B. Cook |
Captain of U.S.S. Long after 12 May, 1921[31] – after 1 Jan, 1922[32] |
Succeeded by William J. Butler |
Footnotes
- ↑ Knoxville Sentinel 11 June, 1915 p. 12.
- ↑ Register of Officers, 1909. pp. 42-43.
- ↑ Register of Officers, 1911. pp. 38-39.
- ↑ Register of Officers, 1912. pp. 38-39.
- ↑ Knoxville Sentinel 11 June, 1915 p. 12.
- ↑ Register of Officers, 1914. pp. 34, 285.
- ↑ Register of Officers, 1916. p. 30.
- ↑ Register of Officers, 1917. pp. 30, 293.
- ↑ Register of Officers, 1918. p. 28.
- ↑ Register of Officers, 1919. pp. 28-29.
- ↑ Navy Directory 1 March, 1918 p. 8.
- ↑ Wikipedia
- ↑ Evening Star (Washington, DC) 14 February, 1920 p. 8.
- ↑ Register of Officers, 1922. pp. 24-25.
- ↑ News-Pilot (San Pedro, CA) 12 May,1 921 p. 6.
- ↑ Register of Officers, 1924. pp. 3, 26-27.
- ↑ Register of Officers, 1927. p. 22.
- ↑ Hall of Valor
- ↑ Register of Officers, 1931. pp. 18-19.
- ↑ Navy Directory 1 April, 1931 p. 4.
- ↑ Register of Officers, 1928. p. 22.
- ↑ Register of Officers, 1935. p. 22.
- ↑ Register of Officers, 1937. pp. 20-21.
- ↑ Register of Officers, 1938. p. 20.
- ↑ Baltimore Sun 31 January, 1939 p. 19.
- ↑ Newport Mercury 17 February, 1939 p. 3.
- ↑ Register of Officers, 1939. p. 563.
- ↑ Register of Officers, 1916. p. 30.
- ↑ San Francisco Examiner 9 October, 1916 p. 3.
- ↑ Register of Officers, 1917. p. 30.
- ↑ News-Pilot (San Pedro, CA) 12 May, 1921 p. 6.
- ↑ Register of Officers, 1922. pp. 24-25.
