Collins, William Neil

Date of birth:: September 27th, 1920 (Minniapolis, United States)
Date of death:: January 10th, 1984
Nationality:: American (1776 - present, Republic)

Biography

Collins Received his training at Corpus Christi and served with the Squadrons VN18B, VN16A and VT-47.

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Navy Cross

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Lieutenant
Unit:: Torpedo Squadron 47 (VT-47), U.S.S. Bataan (CVL-29), U.S. Navy
Awarded on:: July 6th, 1945

Citation:
"For extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane and Section Leader in Torpedo Squadron FORTY-SEVEN (VT-47), attached to the U.S.S. BATAAN (CVL-29), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the East China Sea near Kyushu, Japan, on 7 April 1945. Although wounded by a burst of anti-aircraft fire which damaged his plane as he launched his dive, Lieutenant Collins resolutely continued a bold and determined attack against a Japanese battleship despite opposition from the heavy concentration of main and auxiliary batteries aboard the warships of the enemy Task Force, releasing his torpedoes at low altitude over the target to score a direct hit on the hostile vessel. Extensively damaging one of the enemy's major surface units, Lieutenant Collins rendered invaluable assistance in the sinking of a powerful warship and, by his superb airmanship and courageous conduct at grave personal risk throughout a perilous mission, contributed immeasurably to his squadron's success in a crippling strike against remnants of the one-vaunted Japanese Fleet in its own home waters. His daring aggressiveness, indomitable fighting spirit and gallant devotion to duty under fire were inspiring to those with whom he served and reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service."

Commander 1st Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 0949 (July 6, 1945)