Frank Junior Collins

Brigadier General, U. S. Army Air Force - U.S. Air Force

Silver Star

Frank Collins became a World War II ACE, credited with shooting down NINE enemy aircraft in aerial combat in the Mediterranean Theater. He subsequently served in aerial combat in the Pacific and was shot down and captured on July 12, 1945. After the war he transferred to the new U.S. Air Force, and retired in 1967 as a U.S. Air Force Brigadier General.

GENERAL ORDERS:
Headquarters, 15th Air Force, General Orders No. 146 (March 18, 1944)
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major (Air Corps) Frank Junior Collins (ASN: 0-664528), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action while participating in aerial flight in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations as a pilot of a P-47 type aircraft, 319th Fighter Squadron, 325th Fighter Group, FIFTEENTH Air Force.
On 22 January 1944, Major Collins was leading his flight of four (4) P-47's in strafing Guidonia Airdrome near Rome, Italy when attacked by twelve (12) to fifteen (15) enemy fighters. Major Collins, although greatly outnumbered, gallantly attacked and shot one of the enemy down in flames. Two more enemy fighters were now in position for a close attack and fired bursts that scored hits in his own tail. Before the enemy fighter could maneuver again, Major Collins turned back into the enemy, registering hits that sent the enemy plane down in flames. During this action, Major Collins had lost sight of two of his fellow pilots.
He tried to radio contact but all attempts were futile. He then gallantly circled above the battle area for several minutes striving vainly to locate the missing pilots and render any necessary assistance. Such outstanding gallantry in action, devotion to duty, and inherent courage, together with his outstanding personal combat record of over nine (9) victories and seventy nine (79) mission against the enemy, reflects the highest credit upon Major Collins and the Armed Forces of the United States of America.