Austin A. Straubel (September 4, 1904 – February 3, 1942) was a major in the United States Army Air Forces from Green Bay, Wisconsin.

[citation needed] Straubel played tackle on the Green Bay East High School's football team.

[citation needed] Straubel married Isabel Lawson Walthall in 1936 and they moved to Los Angeles, where they had two daughters, Susan and Victoria ("Tori").

[citation needed] Joined by the eight others in his crew, Straubel flew Consolidated LB-30 (B-24) AL-609, via the African route, arriving at Singasori Field, Malang, Java at 11:30 am on January 11, 1942.

[citation needed] In early 1942 in the Pacific Theater of World War II, the Allies tried to prevent the Japanese from occupying Borneo called the Battle of Makassar Strait.

[citation needed] Straubel, unhappy with the relationship between 5th Bomber Command and his 7th Bomb Group, decided to meet with Major General, Lewis H. Brereton Deputy Chief of Staff.

[citation needed] On February 3, 1942, Major Straubel was joined by 2nd Lieutenant Russell M. Smith, copilot, and Staff Sergeant George W. Pickett, flight engineer.