Austerman World War II Memorial

Like many Americans of the time, the Austerman family of Richmond, Indiana gave up much during World War II. For our family though, the sacrifices were greater than most had to suffer.

William and Louise Austerman were the parents of six children: sons Myron, Everett, and Willard and daughters Clara, Joan, and Alice. This page is dedicated in memory of Everett E. Austerman and Myron W. Austerman, both killed in action during WWII. Everett served in the Army Air Forces and was shot down in a B-29 over Kawasaki, Japan in April 1945. Myron served in the Army and died of the wounds he received during the invasion of Normandy, France on D Day, June 1944.

Wayne County, IN World War II Memorial

Everett E. Austerman

Corporal Austerman was married to Martha (Turner); The two of them had one son, Edward. Everett and Edward are shown in the picture on the left, which was likely taken sometime in 1944. As a member of the Army Air Forces, Everett was a turret gunner on a B-29 'Superfortress'- planes that had unique strategic bombing capabilities in the war against the Japanese homeland. Unfortunately, the B-29 was not immune to Japan's defenses, especially on the type of mission Everett's unit particpated in.

On the night of April 15th 1945, Mission 68 (Brisket #1) sent 194 B-29s from the 313th and 314th Bombing Wings to attack the urban area of Kawasaki Japan, and 8 additional B-29s attacked other targets of opportunity. Of the 202 B-29s sent on the mission, twelve were lost, including the plane Cpl. Austerman was on. The attack must have been quite intense, though it only lasted for about 40 minutes. From an altitude of between 6,420 and 10,020 feet, the B-29s managed to destroy 80,920,000 feet or 2.9 square miles of the target during that night's raid, aiming to take out some of Japan's manufacturing capabilities. Enemy air opposition was moderate to heavy and aggressive. Observations from crew interrogations show numerous B-29s going down in flames over the target. Anti-aircraft fire was reported as heavy, meager to intense, inaccurate to accurate.

The 504th Bombardment Group was based at the North Field, Tinian in the Marianas. If you search the Internet, you can easily find a wealth of information and photos of the various units that served from Tinian during the war in the Pacific. Unfortunately, our family has not been able to find any pictures of the crew Everett was a member of posing with their B-29 or any information or pictures of any nose art that the plane might have had. It is believed that the fatal flight of B-29 serial number 42-24821 was the first for the crew that perished with her. Everett received an Air Medal and a Purple Heart for his service.

Everett is officially laid to rest at the National Memorial Cemetary of the Pacific in Punchbowl Crater. His date of death is listed as April 16, 1946, one year after he was declared Missing in Action on April 15, 1945. Pictured below is Everett's grandson Mike visiting the cemetary in May, 1994 along with a close-up of his inscription on the tablet.

The Crew of B-29 42-24821

Everett and Martha Austerman

In the News:

From the Richmond, IN Pallidium-Item May 10, 1945:

Missing

Mrs. Everett Austerman, 123 1/2 South Eleventh street, received word Saturday that her husband, Corp. Everett Austerman, U.S. Army Air forces, has been missing in action over Japan since Apr. 15. Corporal Austerman is a gunner on a B-29 stationed in the South Pacific area. He left about two months ago for overseas and has been in the service for about one and one half years. He received his basic training at Keesler Field, Miss., and further training in camps in Nebraska, Texas, New Mexico and Florida.

His father is William C. Austerman who resides at 916 South Tenth street. A brother, Tech. Sgt. Myron Austerman, was killed in action in the invasion of Europe June 9, 1944.

Myron W. Austerman

Technical Sergeant Austerman was engaged to be married at the time of his death in Normandy France on June 9, 1944. He was a member of the 2nd Battalion, 401st Glider Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, which served as the 3rd Battalion of the 325th Glider Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne. Myron was a member of Company G. On June 5-6, 1944, the paratroopers of the 82nd's three parachute infantry regiments and reinforced glider infantry regiment boarded hundreds of transport planes and gliders and began the largest airborne assault in history. T/Sgt. Austerman was among the first soldiers to fight in Normandy, France.

The division dropped behind Utah Beach, Normandy between Ste Mere-Englise and Carentan on June 6th, 1944. They were reinforced by the 325th GIR the next day. The division remained under strong German pressure along the Merderit River. Eventually, the 325th GIR crossed the river to secure a bridgehead at La Fiere on June 9th. It was during this action that Pfc Charles N. DeGlopper single-handedly defended his platoon's position and subsequently was awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroism. The next day the 505th PIR captured Montebourg Station and on June 12th the 508th PIR crossed the Douve at Beuzeville-la-Bastille and reached Baupt. They established a bridgehead at Pont l'Abbe on June 19th. The division then attacked down the west coast of the Cotentin Peninsula and captured Hill 131 on July 3rd. The following day the 82nd seized Hill 95 overlooking La Haye-du-Puits.

By the time the All-American Division was pulled back to England on July 13, 1944, it had seen 33 days of bloody combat and suffered 5,245 paratroopers killed, wounded, or missing. The Division's post battle report read, "...33 days of action without relief, without replacements. Every mission accomplished. No ground gained was ever relinquished."

T/Sgt. Austerman was wounded on either June 6 or 7 and succumbed to his wounds on June 9th. He was awarded a Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster and is buried at Normandy American Cemetery, St. Laurent-sur-Mer, France.

The glider infantry was unique to WWII, it was developed in the early days of the war by the Germans, and was disbanded in the years just after the completion of the war. The gliders that these men rode into combat were the Waco CG-4A and the British built Horsa glider. The CG-4A was built of aluminum framing and plywood flooring, with fabric covering stretched over the frame. The Horsa was built mostly of plywood. The gliders were towed behind transport aircraft, usually the C-47, then released from their tow line once over the "LZ", the landing zone. The highly trained and courageous glider pilots would then have a few scant minutes to pick out a likely landing spot, avoid all the other gliders also trying to make their landings, put the glider down on the ground without cracking it up in a ditch or slamming into trees or hedgerows, and accomplish all this while under withering fire from the enemy. And you only got once chance, there were no "go-arounds" in a powerless aircraft!

Why submit the pilots and soldiers to such an experience? The purpose was to put a squad of men on the ground, ready to move out and fight as a team. Quite often the paratroopers were scattered during their drop, and precious hours were lost while trying to regroup and get enough men together so that they could function as a capable fighting unit.

Before the invasion of Normandy, it was feared that the glider forces could face 50%-70% losses before even getting into combat, due to crash landings and the German defenses specially designed to stop the glider landings. It was felt by some that these men were simply being sacrificed for no gain. General Eisenhower insisted that the glider assault take place. The actual initial losses in crash landings and other causes were only 10-15%, and the glider forces proved crucial to the success of the invasion at Utah Beach.

Obituary:

From the Richmond, IN Pallidium-Item:

Local Sergeant Dies of Wounds Received in Invasion June 9

William C. Austerman, 916 South Tenth street, was notified Friday by the War department of the death of his son, Tech. Sgt. Myron Austerman, 33 years old, of wounds received June 9 in the invasion of France.

He had received word Wednesday that his son had been wounded critically in the invasion. Friday morning while reading a War department communication giving the hospital address of Technical Sergeant Austerman, a second telegram arrived announcing his death.

Technical Sergeant Austerman, the first member of St. Andrew's church to be killed in this war, was with the glider infantry. He entered the service Mar. 22, 1942 and had been stationed in England since October, 1943.

A letter Austerman's commanding officer wrote recently to Mr. Austerman praised the sergeant and said the man was well-liked by the men under him.

He was a member of St. Joseph's society and the Y.M.I. and formerly was recording secretary for the latter organization.

Members of St. Andrew's Catholic church, St. Joseph's society, the Y.M.I., and the auxiliary will meet Sunday at 2:30 p.m. at the lyceum to attend prayers for peace at St. Andrew's. Immediately following, memorial services for Technical Sergeant Austerman will be held. The Y.M.I. American flag will be flown at half mast for days in his memory.

In addition to his father, he is survived by three sisters, Alice and Joan Austerman, and Mrs. Ralph Stevens, and two brothers, Willard Austerman and Pfc. Everett Austerman. The latter brother, whose wife resides at 123 1/2 South Eleventh street, in training as a turret gunner on a B-29, is home on furlough. He will report to Lincoln, Nebr., following his furlough.