The
Mustin family has recorded a tradition of service in the
United States Navy extending from 1892 to the present.
Often referred to as "The Father of
Naval Aviation," Captain
Henry C. Mustin,(1874–1923), an 1896 graduate of the
U.S. Naval Academy, was the principal architect for the concept of the catapult launch. As a Lieutenant Commander, Mustin established Naval Aeronautic Station, Pensacola, the Navy’s first permanent airstation together with a flight school in January 1914, and became its first Commanding Officer. The first flight was made from the station on February 2 by Lt. J.H. Towers and Ens. G. de C. Chevalier. On November 5, 1915, while underway, Lt. Cmdr Mustin successfully flew an AB-2 flying boat off the stern of the USS North Carolina in Pensacola Bay, FL, making the first ever recorded catapult launching from a ship underway. In 1899, he earned a commendation for distinguished service in the capture of
Vigan,
Philippines. The first operational missions of naval aircraft were flown under his command during the
Veracruz operation in 1914 and he was the first to hold the title: Commander, Aircraft Squadrons, Pacific Fleet. Designated Naval Aviator Number Eleven, Captain Mustin was instrumental in the design of the
Naval Aviator Insignia.
His son, Vice Admiral
Lloyd Mustin, (1911–1999), a 1932 graduate of the
U.S. Naval Academy, took part in developing the Navy's first lead-computing anti-aircraft gun sight, which proved of major importance in the air-sea actions of
World War II, and served on the
cruiser USS Atlanta (CL-51) during the naval battle of
Guadalcanal. His ship was lost during that action; with other survivors he landed on Guadalcanal and served ashore with a naval unit attached to the
1st Marine Division. His post-war service included commands at sea and development and evaluation of weapon systems. He later served as director of operations for the
Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Vice Admiral Mustin's two sons, retired Navy Vice Admiral
Henry C. Mustin and Lieutenant Commander
Thomas M. Mustin have continued their family's tradition of military service. Vice Admiral Mustin, a 1955 graduate of the
U.S. Naval Academy, is a decorated
Vietnam veteran who served in the 1980s as the Naval Inspector General, Commander, Second Fleet and Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Plans and Policy. Lieutenant Commander Mustin, also a Naval Academy graduate (1962) earned a
Bronze Star during the
Vietnam conflict for river patrol combat action.
Additionally, Vice Admiral Henry C. Mustin's sons, Captain
Lloyd M. Mustin II and Commander
John Mustin both continue serve in the
Naval Reserves following an initial tour of active service. Captain Lloyd Mustin II is currently serving as Commanding Officer of the Detachment supporting the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and America's Security Affairs. Commander John Mustin, a 1990 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, returned to active duty service as the Commanding Officer of Inshore Boat Unit 22, deployed to Kuwait, from 2004-2005. ENS Link Mustin is currently serving onboard USS PREBLE DDG-88 homeported in San Diego CA and was recently qualified Officer of the Deck (May 2009).
Several facilities have borne the name Mustin in honor of the Mustin family. These include two destroyers of the
United States Navy named the
USS Mustin, as well as the
Mustin Beach Officers' Club and
Mustin Hall (the
Bachelor Officers' Quarters) aboard
Naval Air Station Pensacola,
Florida. Additionally, the
Henry C. Mustin Naval Air Facility was operational at the
Philadelphia Navy Yard from 1926 to 1963.
Mustin family