HONORED ON PANEL 5E, LINE 131 OF THE WALL
WILLARD MARION COLLINS
WALL NAME
WILLARD M COLLINS
PANEL / LINE
5E/131
DATE OF BIRTH
CASUALTY PROVINCE
DATE OF CASUALTY
HOME OF RECORD
COUNTY OF RECORD
STATE
BRANCH OF SERVICE
RANK
STATUS
ASSOCIATED ITEMS LEFT AT THE WALL
REMEMBRANCES
LEFT FOR WILLARD MARION COLLINS
POSTED ON 3.9.2012
POSTED BY: Bob Surbaugh
Photo of a Hero
POSTED ON 5.5.2011
If I should die...remembrances for CAPT. Willard Marion COLLINS, USAF...who died for our country!!!!
If I should die, and leave you here awhile, be not like others, sore undone, who keep long vigils by the silent dust, and weep...for MY sake, turn again to life, and smile...Nerving thy heart, and trembling hand to do something to comfort other hearts than thine...Complete these dear, unfinished tasks of mine...and I, perchance, may therein comfort you.
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POSTED ON 3.9.2010
POSTED BY: A Marine
Air Force Cross Citation
Air Force Cross
Awarded posthumously for actions during the Vietnam War
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Title 10, Section 8742, United States Code, takes pride in presenting the Air Force Cross (Posthumously) to Captain Willard Marion Collins (AFSN: 0-3038111), United States Air Force (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving Pilot of an AC-47 aircraft of the 4th Air Commando Squadron (Fire Support), 14th Air Commando Wing, Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Vietnam, in action near A Shau, Republic of Vietnam, on 9 March 1966. On that date, Captain Collins was Aircraft Commander of an AC-47 that was scrambled in defense of a Special Forces camp which was under heavy attack by hostile forces. Arriving over the area, Captain Collins attempted to locate the camp which was surrounded by mountainous terrain in a narrow valley and obscured by heavy clouds. He made two attempts to penetrate into the valley but was forced to withdraw. On his third attempt, he entered the valley at tree top level, and managed to locate the camp. With complete disregard for his personal safety, and fully aware of his aircraft's vulnerability to ground fire, Captain Collins maneuvered into position. He made two firing passes against the hostile forces. It was on the second pass that both engines exploded from the impact of ground fire. Demonstrating superb airmanship and skill, Captain Collins successfully crash landed his battle torn aircraft. After landing, Captain Collins rallied his crew and attempted to establish defense positions away from the aircraft. He then discovered that one crew member was injured and could not be moved, and he refused to abandon the aircraft for more favorable defensive positions; instead he established a perimeter defense of the aircraft until rescue helicopters arrived. Although attacked by hostile forces in the area, Captain Collins continuously fought off his attackers enabling three of his crew members to be rescued. The valuable minutes which he gave his crew, and for which he paid the supreme sacrifice was directly responsible for their rescue. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of hostile forces, Captain Collins reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Action Date: 9-Mar-66
Service: Air Force Reserve
Rank: Captain
Company: 4th Air Commando Squadron (Fire Support)
Regiment: 14th Air Commando Wing
Division: Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Vietnam
Awarded posthumously for actions during the Vietnam War
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Title 10, Section 8742, United States Code, takes pride in presenting the Air Force Cross (Posthumously) to Captain Willard Marion Collins (AFSN: 0-3038111), United States Air Force (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving Pilot of an AC-47 aircraft of the 4th Air Commando Squadron (Fire Support), 14th Air Commando Wing, Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Vietnam, in action near A Shau, Republic of Vietnam, on 9 March 1966. On that date, Captain Collins was Aircraft Commander of an AC-47 that was scrambled in defense of a Special Forces camp which was under heavy attack by hostile forces. Arriving over the area, Captain Collins attempted to locate the camp which was surrounded by mountainous terrain in a narrow valley and obscured by heavy clouds. He made two attempts to penetrate into the valley but was forced to withdraw. On his third attempt, he entered the valley at tree top level, and managed to locate the camp. With complete disregard for his personal safety, and fully aware of his aircraft's vulnerability to ground fire, Captain Collins maneuvered into position. He made two firing passes against the hostile forces. It was on the second pass that both engines exploded from the impact of ground fire. Demonstrating superb airmanship and skill, Captain Collins successfully crash landed his battle torn aircraft. After landing, Captain Collins rallied his crew and attempted to establish defense positions away from the aircraft. He then discovered that one crew member was injured and could not be moved, and he refused to abandon the aircraft for more favorable defensive positions; instead he established a perimeter defense of the aircraft until rescue helicopters arrived. Although attacked by hostile forces in the area, Captain Collins continuously fought off his attackers enabling three of his crew members to be rescued. The valuable minutes which he gave his crew, and for which he paid the supreme sacrifice was directly responsible for their rescue. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of hostile forces, Captain Collins reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Action Date: 9-Mar-66
Service: Air Force Reserve
Rank: Captain
Company: 4th Air Commando Squadron (Fire Support)
Regiment: 14th Air Commando Wing
Division: Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Vietnam
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POSTED ON 9.2.2005
POSTED BY: CLAY MARSTON
IN REMEMBRANCE OF THIS MOST HEROIC UNITED STATES AIR FORCE OFFICER, A POSTHUMOUS RECIPIENT OF THE AIR FORCE CROSS, WHOSE NAME SHALL LIVE FOREVER MORE
CAPTAIN
WILLARD MARION COLLINS
served as a
PILOT
with the
4th AIR COMMANDO SQUADRON
and was a posthumous recipient of the
AIR FORCE CROSS
PURPLE HEART
who remains to this day as being
///////--MIA--\\\
YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN
NOR SHALL YOU EVER BE
========================================
CITATION FOR AWARD OF THE
AIR FORCE CROSS
TO
*COLLINS, WILLARD MARION
( MISSING IN ACTION )
Captain
United States Air Force
4th Air Commando Squadron
Tan Son Nhut Air Base
Vietnam
Date of Action: 9 March 1966
The Air Force Cross is presented to Willard Marion Collins, Captain, United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force near A Shau, Republic of Vietnam, on 9 March 1966. On that date, Captain Collins was Aircraft Commander of an AC-47 that was scrambled in defense of a Special Forces camp which was under heavy attack by hostile forces. Arriving over the area, Captain Collins attempted to locate the camp which was surrounded by mountainous terrain in a narrow valley and obscured by heavy clouds. He made two attempts to penetrate into the valley but was forced to withdraw. On his third attempt, he entered the valley at tree top level, and managed to locate the camp. With complete disregard for his personal safety, and fully aware of his aircraft's vulnerability to ground fire, Captain Collins maneuvered into position. He made two firing passes against the hostile forces. It was on the second pass that both engines exploded from the impact of ground fire. Demonstrating superb airmanship and skill, Captain Collins successfully crash landed his battle torn aircraft. After landing, Captain Collins rallied his crew and attempted to establish defense positions away from the aircraft. He then discovered that one crew member was injured and could not be moved, and he refused to abandon the aircraft for more favorable defensive positions; instead he established a perimeter defense of the aircraft until rescue helicopters arrived. Although attacked by hostile forces in the area, Captain Collins continuously fought off his attackers enabling three of his crew members to be rescued. The valuable minutes which he gave his crew, and for which he paid the supreme sacrifice was directly responsible for their rescue. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of hostile forces, Captain Collins reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
14 February 1999
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