Austin B. Lentz

Austin B. Lentz, age 95 of Arlington passed away Thursday, July 27, 2017 at his residence. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, July 31st at the Arlington United Methodist Church in Arlington with interment with military honors in the Arlington Public Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to service time Monday at the church. Kolden Funeral Home of Arlington is handling the arrangements. Austin was born on June 21, 1922 at Waverly, Mn. to Gustav and Carolina (Bruss) Lentz. He was baptized July 16, 1922 at St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church by Rev. P. Beck. At the age of five the family moved to Arlington, where he has resided ever since. Austin was confirmed by Rev. Heidmann at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Arlington. Austin attended the Arlington Elementary and Arlington High School graduating from there in 1941. Upon graduation Austin enlisted in the Army Air Force in 1942 and served as Staff Sergeant in the 422nd Night Fighter Squadron until 1945. Austin served as Airplane Armorer, performed first and second echelon maintenance on all armament within the unit and loaded ammunition in aircraft. He served overseas for 19 months in England, France, Belgium and Germany. It was on December 27, 1944 that Major General Vandenberg wrote a letter of commendation for the 422nd Night Fighter Squadron to Commanding General 1X Tactical Air Command, APO 595, US Army stating his gratitude and thanks for excellent quality of air protection of December 25 and 26. He reported that German fighters had caused serious trouble by bombing and strafing on the night of December 24-25. The following night, allied night fighters broke up and drove off German night fighter attacks. He expressed thanks to the whole command for a job well done. The valiant efforts and accomplishments of the 422nd Night Fighter Squadron made a major contribution in denying the enemy its objectives and constituted an illustrious chapter in history of the United States Army Air Force. Austin received his honorable discharge on October 7, 1945. He had the honor of being the last living charter member of the Arthur Ziegler VFW Post # 6031. Upon returning home Austin worked as an auto mechanic from 1945 until 1962 for a local car dealer having intermittently attended Dunwoody Institute in Minneapolis specializing in automotive repair. On December 1, 1962, Austin was united in marriage with Zelora Bishop at the Arlington United Methodist Church in Arlington. He continued working in car repair and accepted a managerial position for the Sinclair Oil Station in Arlington for a short time prior to establishing his own business, Austie's Garage, where he worked until his retirement in 1990. Austin enjoyed fishing, mushrooming, metal detecting and socializing with family and friends. He was also an avid duck and goose hunter. Austin is survived by his wife, Zelora Lentz, of Arlington and sister-in-law, Rosella Lentz, of Arlington. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers and sister-in-law, Martin (Eleanor) Lentz and Norman Lentz and sister and brother-in-law, Lois (C. Charles) Utter, Jr.

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