Why is the Airport named after Austin Straubel?
Lt. Col. Austin Straubel was the first aviator from Brown County to lose his life in his Country’s service, February 3, 1942, while on a bombing mission over Macascar Straits, after having served in the United States Air Corp. for 13 years. Lt. Col. Straubel was the grandson of one of Brown County’s first families that settled here in the year 1846 and his grandfather served the North for four years during the Civil War. On March 20, 1946, the Brown County Board of Supervisors signed a resolution to name their new airport “Austin Straubel Field” after Lt. Col. Austin Straubel for his dauntless courage, devotion to duty and self sacrifice, and that he be recognized and honored in a memorable manner.
