Hustus flew 29 1/2 successful bombing missions over Germany before his plane was shot down April 18, 1944.
He was captured and sent to the German prison camp Stalag 17-B in Krems, Austria, where he remained for 13 months.
In a postcard to his mother on May 2, 1944, Hustus wrote, "Sorry about not writting. I arived all O.K. & in good health. Don’t worrey about me They are treating us O.K. Don’t expect much mail."
In another letter, he told his mother, "I’ll leave it up to you to write to everybody & let them know I’m all O.K. & not to worry. No news is good news."
He also asked for packages and suggested his mother go to the Red Cross to find out what she would be allowed to send him.
