Henry Austin died Dec. 27, 2009, in a nursing home in Atlantic Highlands, N.J.
Hank prepared at Kent School. Princeton was a natural choice; Hank was a descendant of Princeton’s first president, Jonathan Dickinson. In college he was a member of Key and Seal and majored in history.
Hank served 39 months in the Navy as a pilot on the aircraft carriers USS Ticonderoga and USS Hancock with duty in the Pacific theater. From November 1944 until the end of the war, he and his fellow airmen were engaged in strikes against Japanese installations and in air combat. He was ultimately discharged as a lieutenant, after receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross and two Air Medals, as well as being included in a unit citation.
Back in civilian life, Hank worked as a salesman and manager in a variety of businesses, including the Standard Register Co., Scoville, Wellington, and Melnor Industries.
In 1943, Hank married Maureen Dempsey. Together they had four children. Maureen died seven years ago.
The class salutes the memory of this airman who contributed so much during the war, and sends its sympathy to his sons, Michael and Henry, and his daughters, Robin and Elizabeth.