Senator Young Presents Brigadier General Arthur Austin Jr. with the Legion of Merit Medal

CUBA – Brigadier General Arthur Austin Jr.’s distinguished service to our nation over the course of his 30 year military career was honored today.

During a ceremony at Moonwink’s Restaurant, General Austin was presented with the Legion of Merit medal by Senator Catharine Young (R,C,I – Olean) in recognition of his dedicated years of service and valor for the country.

The Legion of Merit (LOM Legionnaire Degree) was established in July 1942 to recognize exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements. The awardees reflect the highest traditions of military service and have provided credit upon the United States Army.

Senator Young and General Austin were joined at the ceremony by local officials, as well as family and friends who had traveled from across the country.

“Veteran’s Day is a time to pay tribute to all the brave men and women who served our nation honorably during war and peacetime,” said Senator Young. “Our veterans defended the values and beliefs we hold highest, and their willingness to pay the ultimate price out of love and loyalty to America should be cherished.

“General Austin volunteered for service to our country, and traveled around the globe to defend freedom from those who wished to take it away. For his service and sacrifice, he is well deserving of the Legion of Merit medal, and we all thank him for his dedication.”
 

Arthur Austin Jr. entered into military service on January 8, 1977 as an enlisted member in the 177th Military Police Group, a part of the 210th Military Police Battalion.  He attended basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky, before attending the Military Police (MP) Advanced Individual training course at Fort McClellan, Alabama.

General Austin transferred to the Simultaneous Enlistment Program (SMP), and entered the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) at Michigan State University in 1980 and was commissioned in March 1982.

While serving our nation, General Austin was mobilized on multiple occasions.

He was first deployed during the 1980 Cuban Refugee Crisis and saw action again as part of Operation Desert Shield in December 1990 and Operation Desert Storm in 2003. General Austin was stationed in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, during Operation Enduring Freedom and in 2005 was deployed to assist with Operations Katrina and Rita. Finally, General Austin took part in Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2008. 

During his career, he held various platoon leader positions throughout the battalion. Before being assigned as the HHD Commander, he held positions in the Operations and Intel arenas at both the Battalion and Brigade levels.

General Austin served in the State Operations Office as well as the State Family Readiness Manager. He retired as the Deputy Commanding General of the 46th Military Police Command in Lansing, Michigan, on October 31, 2014.

During his service, General Austin received numerous awards for valor, including the Bronze Star, two Meritorious Service Medals, a Joint Service Commendation Medal, three Army Commendation Medals, three Army Achievement Medals, two Joint Meritorious Unit Awards, six Army Reserve Components Achievement Medals, two National Defense Service Medals, a Southwest Asia Service Medal with two bronze stars, a Global War on Terror Service Medal, an Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terror Expeditionary Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Silver Hourglass & “M” Device, the Army Service Ribbon, the Humanitarian Service Medal with bronze star, two Kuwait Liberation Medals (Saudi Arabia and Kuwait), the Michigan Overseas Service Ribbon, the Louisiana Emergency Service Medal and the Michigan Service Ribbon.

General Austin also is a Bronze level member of The Order of the Marechaussee. The Military Police Regimental Association’s (MPRA) Order of the Marechaussee recognizes exceptional dedication, competence, and contribution to the Military Police Corps Regiment over an extended period of time. In December 2013, General Austin was inducted into the Michigan State University Spartan Battalion Hall of Fame for exemplary service. He was the fourteenth inductee in over 125 years of the military program at MSU.

After making his home in Southfield, Michigan, for over 25 years, General Austin and his wife Karen moved to Cuba, New York, where they now make their home. He is the proud father of four children, Nathaniel, Ivy, Holly and Alexa.

“We owe our veterans our profound gratitude, especially to those like General Austin who volunteered in the defense of our nation for more than three decades. It was a privilege to take part in this ceremony to honor his courage and dedication. We deeply appreciate Brigadier General Austin’s service to not only our country, but also the countless other people worldwide who were touched by his career,” said Senator Young.