Luran Sylvester Austin

2020-08-29T09:27:41-05:00
Army Badge
  • Name: Luran Sylvester Austin
  • Location of Birth: Thayer, Nebraska
  • Date of Birth: May 31, 1906
  • Date of Death: January 21, 1929
  • Parents: George Austin and Virta (Frazey) Austin
  • High School and Class: Elementary School at McGuirre Lake (one room log school near Warba, Minnesota)
  • College: No high school or college.
  • Highest Rank: PVT (Private)
  • Branch: Army
  • Other Branch:
  • Date Sworn In: August 20, 1926
  • Place Sworn In: Superior, Wisconsin
  • Date of Discharge: January 29, 1929
  • Place of Discharge: Mitchell Field Long Island, Nasau County, New York
  • Military Awards:

  • Military Highlights:
    Luran served with the 5th Observation Squadron Army Component. He served 2 years, five months, and 2 days.

  • Wars Involved:

  • MIA / POW:

  • Civilian Life:
    When Luran's parents moved from Nebraska to Northern Minnesota, Luran was a baby. His parents and older brothers homesteaded on the north shore of what is now Austin Lake. They lived in a log house the first few years and later built a frame house east of the lake. The farm produced milk, small grain, and hay for cattle and horses.

    Luran was too young for World War 1, but decided to serve his country in 1926 and joined the Army.

    His military service records and documentation were destroyed in the fire of July 12, 1973 at the National Archives facility in St. Louis, Missouri. However, his final pay voucher was available from the National Archives.

    Some of the family believed he had some sort of aircraft training at Chanute Field near Rantoul, Illinois.

    It is known that the cause of his death was pneumonia. His body was escorted back to Warba, Minnesota by one of Luran's best friends, Sgt. Samuel R. Daniels.

    Luran's siblings are Clarence Austin, Goldie (Austin) Rima, Everett Austin, and Isabelle (Austin) Brown.

    Article from Grand Rapids Herald Review - Wednesday, January 30, 1929:

    "Former Warba Boy Dies
    Funeral services were conducted Monday afternoon at 1 o'clock, from the Warba School for Loren Austin, who passed away Monday Jan 31, at Long Island, New York. The remains were brought here last Friday evening. Mr. Austin, who was 22 years of age was serving in the aviation department of the U.S. army at Long Island. He was taken ill with flu, which developed into pneumonia. He is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. George Austin, two sisters Mrs. Earl Brown and Mrs. Arthur Rima, and two brothers, Clarence and Everett Austin, all of Warba. He attended the Grand Rapids high School."

    Note: First name is spelled wrong in Herald Review news article.

    Pvt. Austin is buried in the Warba-Feeley Cemetery at Warba, Minnesota next to his mother and dad. (Plot B.7.4.5)

  • Tribal Affiliation(s):

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