ELDRED — Retired Brig. Gen. Arthur G. Austin Jr. will speak at the Eldred World War II Museum at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in its Mitchell Paige Hall. The event is free and open to the public.

Austin will provide an inspirational talk titled “The Greatest LOST Generation,” a title referring to the people of color who served and fought in WWII.

Originally from Detroit, Austin entered military service in 1977 as an enlisted member in the 177MP Group, 210th Military Police Battalion, MIARNG. He attended basic training at Fort Knox, Ky., before attending the Military Police (MP) Advanced Individual Training course at Fort McClellan, Ala.

Austin was commissioned in March 1982 through the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) at Michigan State University. He held various leadership positions until his retirement as Deputy Commanding General, 46th Military Police Command, of the Command-and-Control CBRN (chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear) Response Element – Bravo (C2CRE-B), command team in October 2014.

He mobilized during the 1980 Cuban Refugee Crisis, for Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm in December 1990, in 2003 to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba for Operation Enduring Freedom, in 2005 for Operation Katrina/Rita, and in 2008 for Operation Iraqi Freedom.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in social science from Michigan State University, a master’s in organizational management from the University of Phoenix, and a Master of Strategic Studies from the Army War College. He is also a graduate of Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government National Preparedness Leadership course and an inductee in the Michigan State University ROTC Spartan Battalion Hall of Fame. He was the 2024 Daughter of the American Revolution National Outstanding Veteran of the Year. He was recently inducted into the New York State Senate Veterans Hall of Fame for 2025.

Among Austin’s awards are the Federal Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (two), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal (3), Army Achievement Medal (three), Joint Meritorious Unit Award (two), Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (six), National Defense Service Medal (two), Southwest Asia Service Medal (two Bronze Stars), Global War on Terror Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terror Expeditionary Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal (with Silver Hourglass and “M” Device), Army Service Ribbon, Humanitarian Service Medal (with bronze star), Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia), Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait), Michigan Overseas Service Ribbon, Louisiana Emergency Service Medal and the Michigan Service Ribbon (OLC).

Austin now lives in Cuba, N.Y., where he and his wife, Karen, call home.

“This event is an opportunity for attendees to learn more about our nation’s history,” museum representatives said in a press release. “We encourage you to attend and visit our website, eldredpawwiimuseum.com.”

For more information, call (814) 225-2220 or email info@eldredpawwiimuseum.com.