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Austen was born in Hackensack, New Jersey and attended school there. Shortly after graduation, World War I was underway and his tried to enlist in the U.S. Air Service. His application was rejected because of a hearing issue however he then enlisted in France’s Service Aeronautique and trained at three French aviation schools. Austen was assigned to the Lafayette Flying Corps, sometimes described as the French Foreign Legion of Aviation. The Grim Reaper symbol of his specific squadron was displayed on their uniforms, flags and planes.



In January 1918, then Corporal Crehore downed his first enemy plane and saved another fighter pilot, Pierre Marinovitch. Marinovitch went on to become one of France’s all-time leading aces. Shortly after downing his first plane, Crehore spent four months convalescing from an illness back in Westfield with his parents on Kimball Avenue. Upon his return from sick leave, now Sergeant Crehore downed his second plane in July 2018. He remained with his squadron until the Armistice in November 1918. For his wartime service in France, he was awarded the Croix de Guerre with two Palms and later received the Legion d’ Honneur. After the war, he did serve as president of the Lafayette Flying Corps Association, a veteran’s group.

After suffering nearly fatal injuries in a New York to Toronto air race in 1919, Austen retired from flying. In 1924 he married Katherine Dennis and they lived in several locations in and around Westfield for almost forty years. He owned and operated an insurance brokerage firm during this time.

Austen passed away in August 1962 after living a successful and patriotic life. In 1975 his widow donated his uniform and papers to the Westfield Historical Society. Much of the research for this tribute was kindly provided by the Westfield Historical Society and they retain many records on Austen Crehore and countless other individuals.