Mustin family
Encyclopedia
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 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".
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
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 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 Facilityhttp://www.airfields-freeman.com/PA/Airfields_PA_Philly_S.htm#mustin was operational at the Philadelphia Navy Yard from 1926 to 1963.
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
spanning more than a century.
Often referred to as "The Father of Naval Aviation
Naval aviation
Naval aviation is the application of manned military air power by navies, including ships that embark fixed-wing aircraft or helicopters. In contrast, maritime aviation is the operation of aircraft in a maritime role under the command of non-naval forces such as the former RAF Coastal Command or a...
," 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 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
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
. The first operational missions of naval aircraft were flown under his command during the Veracruz
United States occupation of Veracruz, 1914
The United States occupation of Veracruz, which began with the Battle of Veracruz, lasted for six months and was a response to the Tampico Affair of April 9, 1914...
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".
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
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, and served on the cruiser
Cruiser
A cruiser is a type of warship. The term has been in use for several hundreds of years, and has had different meanings throughout this period...
during the naval battle of Guadalcanal
Guadalcanal
Guadalcanal is a tropical island in the South-Western Pacific. The largest island in the Solomons, it was discovered by the Spanish expedition of Alvaro de Mendaña in 1568...
. 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
Joint Chiefs of Staff
The Joint Chiefs of Staff is a body of senior uniformed leaders in the United States Department of Defense who advise the Secretary of Defense, the Homeland Security Council, the National Security Council and the President on military matters...
.
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
Vietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
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
Bronze Star Medal
The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
during the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
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 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
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
named the USS Mustin
USS Mustin
USS Mustin may refer to:*USS Mustin , was a Sims-class destroyer during World War II*USS Mustin , is an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer currently in active service...
, as well as the Mustin Beach Officers' Club and Mustin Hall (the Bachelor Officers' Quarters
BOQ
BOQ is an abbreviation for:* Bachelor Officer Quarters, which are buildings on U.S. Military bases for quartering commissioned officers .* Bitter Old Queen, humorous gay slang...
) aboard Naval Air Station Pensacola
Naval Air Station Pensacola
Naval Air Station Pensacola or NAS Pensacola , "The Cradle of Naval Aviation", is a United States Navy base located next to Warrington, Florida, a community southwest of the Pensacola city limits...
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
. Additionally, the Henry C. Mustin Naval Air Facilityhttp://www.airfields-freeman.com/PA/Airfields_PA_Philly_S.htm#mustin was operational at the Philadelphia Navy Yard from 1926 to 1963.