AUSTIN, WILLIAM RENWICK II

Source: Compiled by Homecoming II Project 31 April 1990 from one or more of
the following: raw data from U.S. Government agency sources, correspondence
with POW/MIA families, published sources, interviews. Updated by the P.O.W.
NETWORK.  2023

REMARKS: 730314 RELSD BY DRV

SYNOPSIS: Major Ivan D. Appleby was the pilot of an F4D aircraft flying a
photo reconnaissance escort mission over North Vietnam in October 1967. His
backseater was Capt. William R. Austin II. Austin and Appleby were onboard
the lead aircraft in a flight of F4D Phantom fighter jets.

When the flight was over Hoi Binh Province about 25 miles southwest of the
city of Hoi Binh, it encountered intense hostile fire which inflicted heavy
damage to the lead aircraft. The aircraft began burning and went out of
control. One parachute was observed prior to the aircraft crashing into a
hill.

The U.S. later learned that Austin had been captured, but Appleby's fate
remained uncertain. He was listed Missing in Action.

When American prisoners were released in 1973, Austin was among them, but
Appleby was not. In late 1976, based on no information to indicate he was
alive, Appleby was presumptively declared dead.

Nearly 2500 Americans did not come home from the war in Vietnam. Unlike
"MIAs" from previous wars, most of these men and women can be accounted for.
Some hundred were known to be held as prisoners, and some were photographed
in captivity. Others were alive and well the last time they were heard from,
describing an advancing enemy.

Years after our military involvement ended, reports of Americans held
captive continue to mount. Thousands of reports have been received related
to Americans missing in Southeast Asia, and many government officials now
believe that hundreds are still being held prisoner. The U.S. Government
continues to press the Vietnamese for information, as it has for nearly 20
years. The U.S. views the problem as humanitarian, while the Vietnamese are
concerned with reconstruction aid promised by the United States in signed
agreements, but not delivered. Until we are willing to negotiate for their
release, these Americans will die in communist prisons wondering why their
country abandoned them.

Ivan D. Appleby was promoted to the rank of Colonel during the period he was
maintained missing.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

William Austin II retired from the United States Air Force as
a Colonel. He and Myrtle still live in South Carolina.

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