Winter 2026 Militaria & Collectibles Auction
Lot 306A:
Description
Admiral Austin K. Doyle was a United States Navy officer and naval aviator whose career spanned World War I, World War II, and the early Cold War. A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Class of 1920, he became a naval aviator and held key prewar aviation commands, including Fighting Squadron Three and the Saratoga Air Group. During World War II he commanded the escort carrier USS Nassau and later the fleet carrier USS Hornet (CV-12), leading sustained carrier operations against Japanese forces in the Pacific during the Leyte Gulf campaign and subsequent Western Pacific strikes. After the war, Doyle commanded Carrier Division 25 and Carrier Division 4 and served in senior flag assignments as Chief of Naval Reserve Training, Commander Tenth Naval District and Caribbean Sea Frontier, Commander Naval Air Training Command, and Commander, United States Taiwan Defense Command. He retired in 1958 and was advanced to full admiral on the retired list.Doyle received two Navy Crosses for extraordinary heroism as commanding officer of USS Hornet. The first recognized his leadership during combat operations in 1944, when his direction of ship and air group operations under heavy enemy attack contributed to the success of carrier strikes during the Battle for Leyte Gulf. The second was awarded for continued combat leadership from February to May 1945, during which Hornet’s air group destroyed large numbers of enemy aircraft, damaged major Japanese naval units, and struck critical shore installations. His other awards included the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit with additional award, and multiple campaign medals. Included is his Vice Admiral uniform (named) with a custom ribbon bar and pin on aviator wings, his dress visor cap and wooden monogrammed box, commissioning pennant from the USS Nassau (his first ship command in 1942), tons of 8×10 original WWII – 50’s photos, documents, post war paperwork, his Size 44L deck jacket, flight suit, extra khaki uniform (no insignia or buttons), sterling stars, overseas cap, misc. insignia., footlocker, briefcase (damaged inside), Annapolis midshipman cap, and more as shown. A TON of stuff!
Condition: Condition ranges from fair to good.
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