Mustin family

The Mustin family has recorded a tradition of service in the United States Navy spanning more than a century.

Often referred to as "The Father of Naval Aviation," Captain Henry C. Mustin,(1874–1923), an 1896 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, was the principal architect for the concept of the catapult launch. As a Lieutenant Commander, Mustin established Naval Aeronautic Station, Pensacola, the Navy’s first permanent airstation together with a flight school in January 1914, and became its first Commanding Officer. The first flight was made from the station on February 2 by Lt. J.H. Towers and Ens. G. de C. Chevalier. On November 5, 1915, while underway, Lt. Cmdr Mustin successfully flew an AB-2 flying boat off the stern of the USS North Carolina (ACR-12) in Pensacola Bay, FL, making the first ever recorded catapult launching from a ship underway. In 1899, he earned a commendation for distinguished service in the capture of Vigan, Philippines. The first operational missions of naval aircraft were flown under his command during the Veracruz operation in 1914 and he was the first to hold the title: Commander, Aircraft Squadrons, Pacific Fleet. Designated Naval Aviator Number Eleven, Captain Mustin was instrumental in the design of the Naval Aviator Insignia. His wife Corinne was the first cousin of Alice Warfield, the mother of Wallis, Duchess of Windsor. According to Wallis, Henry died "from the after-effects of his heroic action in jumping into a rough sea off a battleship to save a sailor who had fallen overboard".^[1]

His son, Vice Admiral Lloyd Mustin, (1911–1999), a 1932 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, took part in developing the Navy's first lead-computing anti-aircraft gun sight, which proved of major importance in the air-sea actions of World War II, and served on the cruiser USS Atlanta (CL-51) during the naval battle of Guadalcanal. His ship was lost during that action; with other survivors he landed on Guadalcanal and served ashore with a naval unit attached to the 1st Marine Division. His post-war service included commands at sea and development and evaluation of weapon systems. He later served as director of operations for the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Vice Admiral Mustin's two sons, retired Navy Vice Admiral Henry C. Mustin and Lieutenant Commander Thomas M. Mustin have continued their family's tradition of military service. Vice Admiral Mustin, a 1955 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, is a decorated Vietnam veteran who served in the 1980s as the Naval Inspector General, Commander, Second Fleet and Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Plans and Policy. Lieutenant Commander Mustin, also a Naval Academy graduate (1962) earned a Bronze Star during the Vietnam War for river patrol combat action.

Additionally, Vice Admiral Henry C. Mustin's sons, Captain Lloyd M. Mustin II and Commander John Mustin both continue to serve in the Naval Reserves following an initial tour of active service. Captain Lloyd Mustin II is currently serving as Commanding Officer of the Detachment supporting the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and America's Security Affairs. Commander John Mustin, a 1990 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, returned to active duty service as the Commanding Officer of Inshore Boat Unit 22, deployed to Kuwait, from 2004-2005.

Continuing the family tradition of service in the U.S. Navy, Vice Admiral Henry C. Mustin's grandson Ltjg Link Mustin is currently serving onboard USS Preble (DDG-88) homeported in San Diego, CA.

Several U.S. Navy facilities have borne the name Mustin in honor of the Mustin family. These include two destroyers of the United States Navy named the USS Mustin, as well as the Mustin Beach Officers' Club and Mustin Hall (the Bachelor Officers' Quarters) aboard Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida. Additionally, the Henry C. Mustin Naval Air Facility[1] was operational at the Philadelphia Navy Yard from 1926 to 1963.

References

1. ^ *Windsor, The Duchess of (1956), The Heart has its Reasons: The Memoirs of the Duchess of Windsor, London: Michael Joseph, p. 62