World War II Honoree

Elder B. 'Bert' Collier

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Honored By

Pat Collier Crowell & Carol Collier Goodwin

Relationship

Daughters

ENLISTED IN 1939. HE WAS SERVING IN THE 11TH TANK COMPANY IN SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, HAWAII, WHEN THE JAPANESE ATTACKED PEARL HARBOR. RECEIVED COMMISSION FROM FORT KNOX ARMORED FORCE OFFICER CANDIDATE SCHOOL (OCS). SENT TO FORT BENNING, GEORGIA TO THE 738TH TANK BATTALION (MEDIUM). WHILE AT FORT BENNING, VOLUNTEERED FOR JUMP SCHOOL AND TRANSFERRED TO THE PARACHUTE INFANTRY. JOINED THE 501ST PARACHUTE INFANTRY REGIMENT ON TENNESSEE MANEUVERS; THEN WENT TO CAMP MCCALL, NORTH CAROLINA, TO PREPARE FOR OVERSEAS DEPLOYMENT TO THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS. LANDED IN SCOTLAND, WENT BY TROOP TRAIN TO SOUTHERN ENGLAND NEAR NEWBURY. SERVED AS PLATOON LEADER THROUGHOUT EUROPE WITH THE 101ST AIRBORNE, 501ST INFANTRY REGIMENT, D COMPANY. JUMPED INTO NORMANDY ON D-DAY AND JUMPED INTO HOLLAND DURING OPERATION MARKET GARDEN. FOUGHT IN BASTOGNE DURING THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE. RECEIVED PURPLE HEART FOR INJURIES SUSTAINED IN HOLLAND. RECEIVED BRONZE STAR FOR VALOR AT NORMANDY.