Before the United States entered the war, Bernard Austin served in Robert Ghormley's mission to Britain and attended high-level meetings on Royal Navy-US Navy cooperation. He later took part in Operation Torch and commanded Destroyer Division 46 from USS Foote as part of Destroyer Squadron 23, the 'Little Beavers.' The squadron's Presidential Unit Citation covered operations beginning with Empress Augusta Bay and continuing through February 1944. Austin then moved into Pacific Fleet destroyer operations and training, where he helped determine the quality of new ships and crews entering combat, before serving on Admiral Nimitz's administrative staff. His later posts included president of the Naval War College and leadership of the inquiries into the losses of USS Thresher and USS Scorpion. His combat record, Naval War College presidency, and staff experience gave him authority when scrutinizing submarine practices.
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Bernard Austin from destroyer combat to naval administration
Austin's career links Allied prewar coordination, combat with Destroyer Squadron 23, Pacific training, senior administration, the Naval War College, and submarine-loss inquiries.