Augenthaler was a Human Starfleet captain in the 2250s, assigned as commanding officer of the Constitution-class starship USS Constitution. (TOS - My Brother's Keeper novel: Constitution) Augenthaler was quite a serious starship commander who displayed absolute trust in the officers who surrounded him. In 2257, Augenthaler followed the suggestion of his junior navigator, Gary Mitchell, and petitioned to have Lieutenant James T. Kirk assigned to the Constitution following the disaster aboard the USS Farragut. After Kirk had accepted the position and boarded the Constitution, Augenthaler introduced him to the senior staff in the ship's lounge as part of an informal get-together.