Capt. Paul Austin, U.S. Navy, Cuban Missile Crisis, Vietnam

Paul Austin never really thought about being an aviator as a kid, but one day he saw a Fly Navy recruiting sign and the rest is history. Austin would spend nearly 30 years in the U.S. Navy and find himself on the brink of nuclear war in Cuba and serving two tours in Vietnam.

In this edition of Veterans Chronicles, Capt. Austin explains how he instantly loved flying and quickly became very good at it. He also takes us into the heart-pounding moments of being in his plane and just moments away from launching air strikes during the Cuban Missile Crisis. And he details his service in Vietnam both in bombing campaigns and providing critical close air for American ground forces.