GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – Green Bay’s airport is looking for the public’s help to expand a historic wall display with as much information about the facility’s namesake as they can find.
“Over the years, we’ve accumulated a couple of World War II memorabilia items from different donors or just individuals who are looking for a place to display it. One of the things that we really never had a lot of out here is Austin Straubel memorabilia,” said Airport Director Marty Piette. “What we’re looking to do is connect with family members, possibly to give us some stories or photos that we could take copies of, if there’s any type of memorabilia out there.”
Straubel was a Green Bay native and a WWII hero, who lost his life in February of 1942 after having served for 13 years in the U.S. Army Air Corps. Piette says the airport currently has a wall display highlighting Straubel’s military milestones, but they’re hoping to create a display with a fuller story of his life.
“We’re kind of looking for anything and everything that would document Austin Straubel,” Piette told WTAQ News. “A yearbook from Green Bay East High School, a letter jacket – we know we play football at east high school and at the university of Wisconsin Madison. He was a delta Kappa epsilon, there might be some memorabilia from the fraternity…Maybe some old letters or telegrams that were sent back and forth when he was in the war. There might be pictures of the craft or him with his aircraft. We know that has to be out there somewhere.”
If people aren’t necessarily willing to part with an original artifact, Piette says they understand – but would like to make a copy if possible.
“We work with the Neville Museum, who’s obviously is an expert at restoration and preserving documents. So we would work with them just to take whatever anybody might have,” Piette explained.
Airport officials put together the following list of information that may be help jog people’s memories as to what information they may have stored away somewhere:
- Austin Straubel’s parents were Charles A. and Alice C. (Van Dycke) Straubel; his sisters’ names were Minnie and Florence and one of his grandparents was named H.H. August Straubel.
- He was a graduate of Green Bay East High School class of 1923. A member of the football team.
- He was a member of the University of Wisconsin-Madison class of 1927; Delta Kappa Epsilon and was on the football team.
- His father’s business was Midwest Cold Storage.
- Possibly lived at these addresses in Green Bay: 1118 S. Monroe; 109 S. Monroe and 409 N. Washington
- Was in the Army Air Corps in Texas and March Field, California in 1928
- Served in the 11th Bombardment squadron; part of the 7th bombardment group (heavy); Hamilton Field – Hamilton Air Force Base, California. Douglas B-18 “Bolo” (36-338)
If you have any information about Lt. Col. Straubel, call or email the airport marketing and communications manager, Susan Levitte: (920) 498-4800 or
susan.levitte@browncountywi.gov
