In Memory
Wayne Douglas “Doug” Austin VVeteran
- Birth
-
Red Willow County, Nebraska, USA
- Death
- 7 Apr 2005 (aged 84)
McCook, Red Willow County, Nebraska, USA
- Burial
-
McCook, Red Willow County, Nebraska
Parents: CHARLES McKINLEY Austin,, Blanche Maggie Hawkins
He served during World War II in the U.S. Navy from February 1941 to 1956 during the Korean Conflict. He was a chief hospitalman. During the Korean Conflict he was assigned to the 1st Marine Division beginning March 1950. He was committed to action with the United Nations Forces on Aug. 3, 1950, in the Pusan Defense Perimeter. He was with the assault forces in the Inchon Landing. On Sept. 22, 1950, during the attack on Seoul, the South Korean capital, he was hit by mortar fire which broke his right ankle and left him with shrapnel in the face, chest and upper arms. There were seven killed and 17 injured. He assumed control and treated the injured for pain and organized evacuation of the injured. He subsequently received the Purple Heart and was awarded the Navy Cross.
Navy Cross CITATION:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Chief Hospital Corpsman Wayne D. Austin (NSN: 3167617), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as Corpsman attached to the First Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces near Seoul, Korea, on 22 September 1950. At approximately 1645 the battalion aid station and supply dump was brought under heavy fire by enemy artillery and mortar shells, killing 7 and wounding 22 Marines. Chief Hospital Corpsman Austin, while administering aid to the wounded Marines, was severely wounded in the face, right shoulder, left arm, chest, thighs and suffered a fracture of the right ankle. He applied a compress to his ankle to partially control hemorrhage and with absolute disregard for the pain and loss of blood he continued to administer aid to the wounded. Those wounded that he could not reach were given aid by the uninjured who he instructed as he moved among the wounded. He then assisted in the organization of an evacuation party and helped load the wounded Marines into ambulances. He administered treatment to ten wounded after he was wounded and it was only after all wounded had been given medical aid and evacuated that he accepted further aid and evacuation for himself. Chief Hospital Corpsman Austin's display of outstanding courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the traditions of the United States Naval Service.
|