(1866-1938) Army General. Joined the Army in 1898 as an officer in the 5th Massachusetts Infantry and served during the Spanish-American War. In the Philippine-American War (1899-1902) he first served with the 46th U.S. Volunteer Infantry and in 1901 transferred to artillery where he was to flourish throughout his career. From 1907-15 he served with the 3rd Artillery and then commanded several battalions. At the outbreak of WW I he was given command of the 346th Field Artillery and then until the end of the War was Commanding General of the 156th Field Artillery Brigade. During the War he was a strong supporter of jazz music and organized one of the most important Military Jazz Bands of the War; a band that had 70 vocalists. When the band came home, it was met with a triumphant welcome in Philadelphia and among their new works was The Philadelphia Sunday Blues. He then commanded Camp Taylor and then spent a long tenure as Director of the U.S. Artillery School. Austin ended his career as the Army¿s Chief of Artillery from 1927-38! V. 1929 Sig. "Fred T. Austin-Maj. Gen., U.S. Army-Chief of Artillery."

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