Individual Photo Albums & Stories
David Austin SP5, USA
Saigon (67-68)
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From: Jim White and Jerry Nelson
Date: May 16, 2018
Subject: David Austin
Dear Michael,
Thank you for your message on David Austin. We are sorry to hear that you lost a good friend at such an early age. If you have the reason for his passing, any photos, his obituary or anything else about David, please send it to us at the above address so that we may be able to add it to our website. The original roster of AFVN members was prepared 10 or so years ago and the names were basically "from memory." Somehow, David was missed.
Respectfully yours,
From: Michael Baker
Date: May 17, 2018
Subject: David Austin
Dear Michael,
Thanks Jerry. I forwarded your email to David's daughter, Michelle. I'm sure she will respond to your request. Yes, David was a very good friend. We met at DINFOS Broadcast School in Ft Slocum, NY. We were the last class to attend at Ft Slocum. From there we ended up at Ft Hood, Texas for about six months. I was assigned to DASPO as a 71R reporter with their sound on film motion picture teams. I wrote and narrated films but mostly I was a sound man. David came to AFVN-Saigon I believe in 66-67 and thankfully we had the opportunity to visit several times during my 17 months in country.
David came back to Ft Ben Harrison (DINFOS) as an instructor until we got out of the Army on April 18th, 1968. I flew to Ft Ben and we drove from there to Boston . Now that was a road trip to remember (or forget). David loved Radio. He had a great voice and worked his way up to GM of (WEEI-FM I believe) a CBS affiliate. We would call frequently and laugh heartily on each call. David got cancer and died at the age of 42. I miss him every day. I hope Michelle fills in the blanks for you. Thanks for responding to my email.
Michael Baker
From: Michelle Goode
Date: May 21, 2018
Subject: David Austin
Hi Jerry and Michael,
My dad died on December 3, 1986 at the age of 42 of colon cancer. I will look for his obituary and send you some photos when I have some time. Thanks for adding him to your list. If you knew him, you would know he'd be the last person forgotten!
Best, Michelle
From: Michael Baker
Date: May 16, 2018
Subject: Missing 71R
My friend (Sp5) David Austin is missing from your roster. He was at AFVN in 1967. David passed away at the age of 42 in Boston MA where he was General Manager of a top radio station that was a CBS affiliate. Thanks for adding. I was a 71R assigned to the Department of the Army Special Photographic Office (DASPO). Got to visit David and John Steinbeck IV several times while in Saigon. Great crew at AFVN during my 17 months in country.
Michael Baker