World War II Honoree

Gerald Sherman Collins

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Buffalo, New York

Honored By

Gerald H. Collins

Relationship

Son

FLEW OVER 100 MISSIONS IN THE SOUTHWEST PACIFIC FROM 1944 TO 1945 WITH THE 3RD AIR COMMANDO GROUP. ASSIGNED TO FIFTH AIR FORCE FOR OPERATIONS WITH P-51, C-47, AND L-5 AIRCRAFT. ATTACKED JAPANESE AIRFIELDS AND INSTALLATIONS IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS, SUPPORTED GROUND FORCES ON LUZON, PROVIDED ESCORT FOR MISSIONS TO FORMOSA AND THE CHINA COAST, MADE RAIDS ON AIRFIELDS AND RAILWAYS ON FORMOSA, AND FURNISHED COVER FOR CONVOYS. FLEW SOME PATROLS OVER JAPAN, MADE LOCAL LIAISON FLIGHTS, AND HAULED CARGO FROM THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS TO OKINAWA. HE WAS ONE OF THE FIRST GROUP OF ARMY AVIATORS TO OCCUPY JAPAN FOLLOWING THE WAR.