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E. Austin Carlin, Intelligence Officer, 486th: 20 April 2021

Austin, a resident of Kensington, Maryland, passed away on April 20, 2021, at the age of 104. Son of Earle Sylvester Carlin and Eva Marie Carlin. Predeceased by sisters, Bernadine Freitag, Eleanor Simpson and Anne Alcorn.

Austin, a native Washingtonian, graduated from Bethesda Chevy Chase High School, Class of 1932. He attended Southeastern University (George Washington) where he obtained his undergraduate and law degrees. Shortly after being admitted to the District of Columbia and Maryland Bars, Austin opened his law office in Bethesda where he practiced law for over 50 years specializing in real estate, estate and trust and business law. Over the course of his career Austin served as a member of the Board of Directors of many local banks and savings and loan associations, including Metropolitan Federal Savings and Loan, Liberty Savings and Loan Association, Farmers Banking and Trust Company and the National Bank of Maryland.

Austin's public service included membership in the Sovereign Order of Malta, Bethesda Chevy Chase Lions Club, Lions International and the Knights of Columbus, Rock Creek Council. Close to Austin's heart was his involvement as a member of the Montgomery County Bar Association, serving as its President in 1960-61, on numerous bar committees, as a Bar Leader and a Fellow of the Maryland Bar Foundation. Austin cherished the friendship of the many attorneys and judges he met through the Montgomery County Bar, many of whom became lifelong friends. In addition to Austin's legal career he was an active participant in commercial real estatedevelopment. Anticipating the burgeoning growth in Montgomery County, Maryland, in the early 1960's, Austin, along with Dermott A. Nee co-founded Danac Real Estate Investment Corporation. Danac, with its traditional maple leaf logo, transformed much of upper Montgomery County, particularly Gaithersburg, developing shopping centers, industrial and office properties and various residential communities. Notable projects included Gaithersburg Square, Quince Orchard Shopping Plaza, Diamond Farms and the headquarters of the Joseph R. Harris Company along Route 270. While serving as Chairman of Danac, Austin was instrumental in transforming the company from a privately held investment company to it being publicly traded on the NASDAQ. Danac's continued growth in the 70's and 80's eventually led to it being acquired by the Richmond Corporation.

Austin was part of the Greatest Generation, having served in the Eighth Air Force during World War II. Assigned to the Intelligence Unit, Austin was primarily responsible for briefing the pilots in the Bomber Command on their strategic missions. Austin rose to the rank of Captain prior to the War's end.

Most who knew Austin knew he was deeply committed to his Roman Catholic faith. He attended daily mass almost his entire life. His day often started by attending 8 a.m. Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church before heading to his law office a short distance away. Austin relied deeply on his faith to guide him through his daily life, particularly following the unexpected passing of his dear wife, Helen Gallagher. Helen's passing deeply affected Austin to whom he credited many of his accomplishments. Austin was fortunate to later marry Irene Geissenhainer, with whom he spent many happy years, often entertaining family and friends at their vacation home in Rehoboth Beach, DE.

Ed Kiczenski, Ball Turret, Pankow Crew, 833rd: 26 April 2021

Ed, was born in Detour, Michigan on October 13, 1924, to Joseph and Katherine, died April 26, 2021. He was the last surviving sibling of 13 brothers and sisters raised in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

Survived by wife Barbara Joan, they had just celebrated 71 years of marriage, son and grandon.

Ed attended Michigan State University, was a member of the track team and graduated with a degree in Civil Engineering.

He proudly served in the Air Force during World War II flying 20 missions over the European Theater of Operations in a B-17 bomber as a ball turret gunner manning two 50 caliber machine guns.

He worked for a variety of companies in Los Angles, before returning to St. Louis and taking a job at McDonnell Douglas Aircraft in 1966.

Ed enjoyed going to the family farm in St. James Missouri on the weekends and spending many fun-filled times with family and friends.

He loved to grow a garden and had one of the best tomato patches in Town & Country. Ed had a passion for building and fixing things and proudly passed on his vast knowledge and skills to his son and grandsons.

CPL Willard R. Sweet, Ball Turret, Webber crew, 832nd: 12 December 2021

Willard Rivers Sweet, Jr., known to all as “Bill”, 96, of Franklin, NH and formerly of Bristol, NH and East Greenwich, RI, passed away peacefully at home on December 12, 2021. Willard was born in Providence, RI on July 5, 1925. He grew up in Cranston and attended Cranston High School. Before graduation, Bill was drafted into the service, joining the 8th Army Air Force in 1943. He served as the Ball Turret Gunner on Richard Webber's crew and flew 33 missions before the end of the war. Bill also doubled as the Radio Operator. Bill earned five Air Medals. Upon returning home, Bill completed his graduation requirements and graduated with his younger brother from Cranston High School in 1947. Bill went on to receive a BS degree in Business Administration from Bryant College.

Bill married his wife Meredith in 1950 and the couple raised their 3 children in East Greenwich, RI. He worked for over 25 years for Uniroyal and US Golf Balls before retiring. With their children grown, Bill and Meredith relocated to Bristol, NH, where he worked for 30 years in the Real Estate business, most of which was spent with Century 21. He joined Old Mill Properties briefly but retired from real estate at the age of 90. Bill and Meredith moved from Bristol, NH to the Golden Crest Living Facility in Franklin, NH in 2017.

In his 96 years, Bill lived life to its fullest. His family meant the world to him. Bill and Meredith enjoyed visits from their friends and their children and their families. Bill loved taking his grandchildren out to see and participate in what the beautiful state of NH had to offer. The life lessons and the love that he selflessly gave will forever be in the hearts of all who knew him. Bill’s co-workers, friends and his family all were, without exception, the recipients of and witnesses to his wonderfully witty and dry sense of humor. Bill was a golfer, an accomplished cook and grill master, a prolific reader and coin collector. Upon his passing, Bill had been the last surviving member his crew.

Bill was predeceased in August by his beloved wife of 71 years, Meredith K. (McDowell) Sweet.

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