PVT Harold Hershal Austin (WWII)

Remembering PVT Harold Hershal Austin

July 19, 1921 - May 29, 1943

----

PVT Harold Hershal Austin (Service Number 35746790) was born July 19, 1921 in Randall, West Virginia (near Star City in Monongalia County), the son of Jesse Ray and Goldie Ethel (Boyce) Austin. At the time of Harold's birth, their family was living on McKinley Avenue in Morgantown, while Jesse worked as a coal miner. 

Sometimes between 1925 (Morgantown City Directory) and the 1930 Census, they moved to Fairmont. There they lived with Goldie's parents at 347 Blaine Street (where the Gateway Connector Playground now is). Jesse was a laborer at the local lumber company (1930 Census). By 1940, they were back in Monongalia County, where Jesse worked as a farmer and Harold and his older brother Paul worked as laborers for the National Youth Association (1940 Census).

Military Service:

On December 22, 1942, Harold enlisted in Clarksburg, WV. Harold was listed as a semi-skilled foundry employee, with a 7th grade education. Harold became a member of the 32nd Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Divsion, Company E.

Harold was with the 7th Infantry Division in Alaska during the Battle of Attu Island, as US Forces worked to reclaim the Aleutian Islands from the Japanese. The battle took place May 11-30, 1943, resulting in 549 Americans killed in action and over 1,148 wounded (Muxen, 2022). PVT Harold Hershal Austin was killed in action on May 29, 1943 from wounds to his head and thorax (Hospital Admission Card Files).

Initially interred at the Little Falls No. 1. Cemetery on Attu Island, PVT Harold Hershal Austin reached his final place of rest at the Grafton National Cemetery in September of 1948.

Legacy and Survivors:

PVT Harold Hershal Austin was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart for his service on Attu Island ("Pvt. Harold Austin is Given The Purple Heart," The Fairmont Times). He is honored on the "Marion County Veterans Killed in Action" Memorial at Veterans Square in Fairmont, WV, and at the West Virginia Veterans Memorial in Charleston, WV. 

Harold was survived by his parents, Jesse and Goldie, and seven siblings (3 brothers, 4 sisters). As the second oldest Austin sibling, Harold's youngest sibling was around 6 when Harold died. Two of Harold's siblings, PVT Paul Boyce Austin (WWII) and CPL Donald Ray Austin (Korea) also served in the military. Like Harold, they are laid to rest in the Grafton National Cemetery.

Sources and More Information:

Newspaper articles, in Chronological Order:
  • Pvt. Harold Austin is Given The Purple Heart. The Fairmont Times. 7 July 1943. Accessed with help from the West Virginia Regional History Center.

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