WWII PTO and ETO African American Chaplain PH recipient 365th Infantry Regiment

[Gear Fanatic]

Hello all, been on the hunt for a Chaplains Uniform for a long time and finally found one that I am very happy with. Bought it from a forum member Un-ID’d with the possibility of it being identifiable due to the uniqueness of the uniform. Thanks to member @Chap15 and @aznation I was able to positively ID it to United States Army chaplain (Rev) Finis Hugo Austin.

 

Finis Hugo Austin was born in 1907 in Appomattox County VA. He was raised by his mother for most of his life and moved around but always attended church as his mother ( Ms. Margaret Elizabeth Austin) was deeply religious and that naturally influenced Finis to attend seminary school and pursue a life serving the lord. He attended seminary school first at storer college, then Howard university for a brief semester, and then went back to storer college where he graduated. After graduating he married his wife, Beatrice C Austin. They had 2 sons. During this time he did lots of social work with local Baptist churches. Then in July of 1941 he enlisted in the United States Chaplain Corp where he was commissioned as a 1st Lt. and stationed at camp Livingstone for a few months before moving to Fort Huachuca and training with the 93rd engineers (the first segregated unit to be transferred outside of the states) before eventually being transferred to Alaska with them while they were stationed on the Alcan Highway project. He was stationed with them there for almost 18 months being transferred back stateside to fort Huachuca to train with the recently activated 92nd ID and more specifically the 365th Infantry Regiment who Rev. Austin would provide religious services for as there regimental chaplain. Upon returning stateside he would also be promoted to the rank of captain. Having trained with them for nearly a year and half the unit and the whole 92nd was sent overseas in September of 1944 bound for the Italian front. Once they arrived the unit was quickly transferred to the front and participated in the Arno River crossing and after that offensive operation along the gothic line. Here on November 28th 1944 Rev. Austin was wounded in action tending to soldiers on the front likely religiously and Medically. After this the 92nd was pulled off the line due to poor combat effectiveness likely due to them being a completely segregated unit and consequently having a very low number of replacements available to them. Behind the lines they were restructured and made an integrated unit with French colonial units being attached to them and even the famed 442nd RCT. They were later out back in the line in Winter/spring of 1945. After finishing the war Rev. Austin was separated from the service in 1946 having served 5 years. Upon returning home to Clifton Forge he took up his own ministry at a local baptist church for a few years until he was called back to the service as a Major in 1950 where upon returning he was sent to Europe in 1952 as part of the 7th Army/EUCOM. He stayed in Europe till 1954 when his wife fell ill so he returned stateside and cared for her till she died in 1956. He stayed in the reserves after this retiring in 1964 as a major. Rev. Austin continued ministry in Virginia and Pennsylvania  till the late 80’s when he retired. he eventually died of old age in 2000 after living a very long and impactful life.

 

Hope you all enjoyed the write up of this amazing man and his career, very good to be the caretaker of this uniform and be able to share his story. 

[Gear Fanatic]

Another note is all the collar insignia is NS Meyer ww2 era, and the shoulder board majors insignia are 12 karat gold plated. Not sure if the maker mark though.

[644td]

Really nice pick up. I’m glad Bob was able to help.

[Gear Fanatic]

4 hours ago, 644td said:

Really nice pick up. I’m glad Bob was able to help.

Glad you like it. Very happy to have finally acquired a chaplains uniform. Especially to a chaplain with a very interesting and important career.

[644td]

I had a ALCAN named Chaplains helmet at one time in my collection. 

[Gear Fanatic]

Oh really? Do you have any pictures, would I move to see it. I had no idea the Alcan even existed before researching this guy.

[Gear Fanatic]

Update on this one, researching the reverend, found out he was wounded while in the MTO. And was an awarded a Purple Heart. I have since added the PH ribbon above his current bar. Updated pic coming soon!