Oral history of William Austin
Clemson University Libraries. Special Collections and Archives A video recording of an in-person interview conducted by Daniel Mack with Colonel William Austin, II on October 14, 2012, in Clemson, SC. Born on December 18, 1937, Austin served in the United States Air Force, flying combat missions in Vietnam. In this interview, he describes his extensive training in navigation, electronic warfare, and pilot school, leading to his assignment as an Electronic Warfare Officer.
Colonel Austin recounts his training to become an Electronic Warfare Officer and his first assignment at Forbes Air Force Base in Kansas during the Cold War. He discusses his transition to flying F-4 fighter jets in Vietnam, his role in the Wild Weasel program, and his experiences flying combat missions over North Vietnam, including encounters with enemy MiGs and surface-to-air missiles. He vividly describes the high-stakes nature of aerial combat and his role as a mission planner and backseat flight leader. He details his experience of being shot down, captured by enemy forces, and held as a prisoner of war. He shares the physical and psychological toll of captivity and the brutal conditions he endured.