1/LT Austin Clawson

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Posted by Greg Boschert (149.174.164.15) on July 27, 2004 at 19:22:29:

I was thrilled to discover your web site and read the name of 1/Lt Austin Clawson. I had "googled" him, and was delighted to see him listed on your website.

Austin Clawson was my teacher for two years at St. Bartholomew Catholic elementary school in Hazelwood, MO, in suburban St. Louis. This would have been around the 1964-65 period. He taught me in 6th and 7th grade, and was by far, the most influential teacher I ever had. He worked for years earning a meager salary as a parochial school teacher, but he was a terrific instructor. He had progressive ideas about teaching, and even in 7th grade, he began preparing us for the college entrance SAT examinations. After two years under Mr. Clawson, I never had to study for a spelling or grammar test again, including my years at college.

Mr. Clawson wouldn't talk much about his wartime experiences, but I do recall he talked about being an airborne artillery spotter. Mostly he recounted little snippets about life in a combat unit, e.g., about how the C-ration chocolate bars would make you so warm, your ears would burn.

One funny story he did tell was about how early one morning he was snoozing away in a nice warm sleeping bag. He had even managed to find a nice dry cot to sleep on. Suddenly, a German plane rolled in for a strafing run of his position. He recalled that the zipper on the sleeping bag jammed, and with bullets flying all around, he struggled with the zipper, ending up half off the cot and half on, swearing with all his might. Now, I don't know how much of this was true, but it was always good for a laugh with the class.

I don't know whatever became of Mr. Clawson. I know he was selling insurance part-time to make ends meet while he was teaching. I can tell you that I absolutely idolized him, and have never forgotten him and his dedication to his students. I later became a career Navy helicopter pilot, spending 20 years on active service, and have been flying medical helicoptes in Pittsburgh ever since. He was a huge influence in my young life, and I'm very grateful to find him mentioned here.

Thank you for a fine website.

Greg Boschert
LCDR USN (Retired)

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: I was thrilled to discover your web site and read the name of 1/Lt Austin Clawson. I had "googled" him, and was delighted to see him listed on your website. : Austin Clawson was my teacher for two years at St. Bartholomew Catholic elementary school in Hazelwood, MO, in suburban St. Louis. This would have been around the 1964-65 period. He taught me in 6th and 7th grade, and was by far, the most influential teacher I ever had. He worked for years earning a meager salary as a parochial school teacher, but he was a terrific instructor. He had progressive ideas about teaching, and even in 7th grade, he began preparing us for the college entrance SAT examinations. After two years under Mr. Clawson, I never had to study for a spelling or grammar test again, including my years at college. : Mr. Clawson wouldn't talk much about his wartime experiences, but I do recall he talked about being an airborne artillery spotter. Mostly he recounted little snippets about life in a combat unit, e.g., about how the C-ration chocolate bars would make you so warm, your ears would burn. : One funny story he did tell was about how early one morning he was snoozing away in a nice warm sleeping bag. He had even managed to find a nice dry cot to sleep on. Suddenly, a German plane rolled in for a strafing run of his position. He recalled that the zipper on the sleeping bag jammed, and with bullets flying all around, he struggled with the zipper, ending up half off the cot and half on, swearing with all his might. Now, I don't know how much of this was true, but it was always good for a laugh with the class. : I don't know whatever became of Mr. Clawson. I know he was selling insurance part-time to make ends meet while he was teaching. I can tell you that I absolutely idolized him, and have never forgotten him and his dedication to his students. I later became a career Navy helicopter pilot, spending 20 years on active service, and have been flying medical helicoptes in Pittsburgh ever since. He was a huge influence in my young life, and I'm very grateful to find him mentioned here. : Thank you for a fine website. : Greg Boschert : LCDR USN (Retired)

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