World War II Honoree

Cleo Harold 'Ted' Collins

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Craig County, Oklahoma

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

SERVED WITH THE CIVILIAN CONSERVATION CORPS (CCC), A U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAM TO PROVIDE TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT. WORKED IN THE NOWATA AND SPAVINAW, OKLAHOMA AREAS. THEN ENTERED MILITARY SERVICE AND SERVED FOR OVER 25 MONTHS IN THE AMERICAN AND ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATERS, INCLUDING SOME 11 MONTHS OVERSEAS WITH THE 78TH ENGINEER COMBAT BATTALION. SERVED IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS AND FOLLOWING THE END OF HOSTILITIES, WITH OCCUPATION FORCES IN YOKOHAMA AND TOKYO, JAPAN. AWARDED THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL, AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. ALSO AWARDED THE PHILIPPINE LIBERATION MEDAL FOR SERVICE IN THE LIBERATION OF THE PHILIPPINES. HONORABLY DISCHARGED ON MAY 5, 1946 WITH THE RANK OF STAFF SERGEANT AND ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON. CONTINUED ON RESERVE AND ACTIVE DUTY STATUS WITH THE U.S. ARMY AFTER THE WAR UNTIL AGAIN HONORABLY DISCHARGED.