Phoenix Union High School District Army JROTC Remembrance Ceremonies

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Authored by: LTC (R) Peter Sandberg
Photos by: LTC (R) Peter Sandberg

Private First-Class Oscar P. Austin (MOH) Remembrance Ceremonies

On Sunday 25 FEB 2024, Phoenix Union High School District JROTC programs participated in the annual United States Marine Corps Private First-Class Oscar P. Austin Remembrance Ceremonies sponsored by the PFC Oscar P. Austin Recognition Committee. Private First Class Austin attended Booker T. Washington Elementary and Phoenix Union High School and he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism in Vietnam in 1969. Carl Hayden JROTC Cadets posted the Colors at the annual Private First-Class Oscar Austin Remembrance Ceremony at Greenwood Memorial Cemetery where Private First Class Austin is buried. American Legion Post 41, America’s Buffalo Soldiers, Phoenix Union JROTC Cadets, veterans, friends, and family attended this year’s ceremony.

The US Navy Destroyer USS Oscar Austin (DDG-79), commissioned in 2000, is named in his honor. The ship’s motto is “Honor and Sacrifice” a reference to the sacrifice of Private First Class Austin. Crewmembers from the USS Oscar Austin, CMDCM Angie Quakenbush, DCC Robert Miller, and ENS Benjamin Norville attended this year’s ceremony at Greenwood Memorial Cemetery.

In late February, PXU JROTC Programs conducted a classroom discussion about the life, bravery, and sacrifice of PFC Oscar Austin. Each JROTC classroom has a plaque memorializing PFC Austin.