Resource Type

Oral History Interview with Abner Aust, March 19, 2013 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Abner Aust, March 19, 2013

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Abner Aust. Aust joined the Army Air Forces in September 1941 and completed flight school in April 1943. He was assigned to Venice, Florida, as an instructor, often receiving extra runway duty on account of his mischievous acrobatics. In October 1944, he joined the 506th Fighter Group, 457th Fighter Squadron, as flight commander. Upon familiarizing himself with the P-51, he flew his first missions out of Tinian, moving next to Iwo Jima. While escorting B-29s, he sometimes broke away to lead his group of eight fighters to strafe opportunistically. He is credited with five victories, the last of which occurred on 10 August 1945, distinguishing him as the last fighter ace of World War II. Aust then served in the Air Force and participated in the Vietnam War. Just before his retirement, he worked at Bolling Air Force Base to develop the F-15. After all of his experience in fighters, his favorite plane is the P-40N.
Date: March 19, 2013
Creator: Aust, Abner
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Telegram from T. N. Carswell to the Governors of Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico and Oklahoma - March 31, 1941] (open access)

[Telegram from T. N. Carswell to the Governors of Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico and Oklahoma - March 31, 1941]

A Western Union telegram sent to The Governor, State of Colorado, Denver, Colorado, wiht a note that the same telegram was sent to the governors of Arizona (Phoenix), New Mexico (Santa Fe), and Oklahoma (Oklahoma City), from T. N. Carswell, Chairman, Army Day Arrangements Committee, Abilene, Texas, dated March 31, 1941. Carswell issues an invitation to attend Army Day, that "General Key and the Mayor of the City of Abilene join in this invitation."
Date: March 31, 1941
Creator: Carswell, T. N. (Thomas Norwood)
System: The Portal to Texas History