Harris Austin

Mr. Harris Monroe "Red" Austin, chief petty officer, U.S. Navy retired, 79, died Wednesday, Jan. 20, at College View Nursing Home, Frederick.

Born Nov. 2, 1920, in Lincoln, Neb., he was a son of the late James Monroe and Louie Harris Austin.

Mr. Austin was a veteran of World War II and the Korean War, receiving 20 medals and battle ribbons for 20 campaigns in the Pacific and Atlantic theaters.

He was a radio operator and communications technician stationed at the National Security Agency after the war, where he broke codes and developed communications systems.

He worked as a civilian for several Washington based firms and set up systems.

He had diverse interests and spent time as a cowhand in New Mexico, a rancher in Oregon and a sheriff's officer in Oregon. He was in casino security in Lake Tahoe, Calif., where he spent time as a bodyguard for many celebrities, including his longtime friend, Sammy Davis Jr.

He was a Mason for 45 years, affiliated with the Arlington Centennial Lodge 81, and later the Owensboro Lodge 130.

Mr. Austin contributed to genealogical research organizations, and visited England and Scotland to meet his clan chieftains. He also traveled around the country representing the Clan Keith Society and helped open several branches on the West Coast.

He was a ham radio operator for decades, call sign W3IPO, and held numerous awards. One ship on which he served was the USS Russell. He spent countless hours in the Naval Archives assembling information that established the USS Russell as having traveled more nautical miles and taking part in more battles than any destroyer in the Pacific Fleet. It was this record that prompted the Navy to consider in 1994 commissioning one of the newest class of destroyers in the fleet as the "new" USS Russell.

The current best seller, "Blind Man's Bluff," features one of Mr. Austin's tales in its first chapter.

Surviving are three daughters, Elizabeth Brandenburg and husband Kurt, Kathleen Federline and husband Allen, and Valerie Austin, all of Gaithersburg; two sons, John Austin and wife Kandi of Adamstown, and Richard Austin and wife Nancy of Damascus; and 13 grandchildren, Lee, Kimberly, Christie, April, Suzanne, Adam, Patrick, Allyson, Aron, Emily, Steven, William and Michael.

Memorial services will begin at 3 p.m. Friday, Jan. 22, at the home of his son Richard, 10931 Long Meadow Drive, Damascus. All friends are welcome.

Private interment services will be held in Suffield, Conn.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to the Navy Memorial Fund.