World War II Honoree

Francis J. Collins

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Queens County, New York

Honored By

Sam E. Pennartz

ENLISTED IN THE ARMY AIR CORPS ON 14 DECEMBER 1942 AT NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK. ASSIGNED TO THE CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATRE OF OPERATIONS, 20TH AIR FORCE, XXI BOMBER COMMAND, 73RD BOMB WING, 499TH BOMBARDMENT GROUP (VERY HEAVY), 877TH BOMB SQUADRON STATIONED AT ISLEY FIELD ON SAIPAN IN THE MARIANA ISLANDS. ON 1 JUNE 1945, HE FLEW AS AN AERIAL GUNNER IN THE CENTRAL FIRE CONTROL STATION ABOARD A BOEING B-29 SUPERFORTRESS NICKNAMED THE 'FLYING FOOL' (TAIL # 44-70083). IT WAS ONE OF 458 AIRCRAFT LAUNCHED IN A MULTI-WING GROUP FORMATION TO BOMBARD THE URBAN AREA OF OSAKA, JAPAN. WHILE OVER THE TARGET AT AN ALTITUDE OF 20,000 FEET, THE NOSE OF HIS AIRCRAFT WAS HIT WITH FLAK BY ANTI-AIRCRAFT GUNS FROM A JAPANESE WAR SHIP IN OSAKA BAY AND CRASHED WITH NO SURVIVORS.