World War II Honoree

Julian Judson 'Jud' Collins, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Decatur, Illinois

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

ENTERED MILITARY SERVICE AFTER GRADUATING FROM HIGH SCHOOL. APPLIED FOR AND WAS ACCEPTED INTO THE NAVAL AVIATION CADET PROGRAM. UPON SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF TRAINING, WAS AWARDED HIS GOLD NAVAL AVIATOR WINGS. SERVED AS A NAVY PILOT DURING THE WAR. AWARDED THE AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED WITH THE RANK OF LIEUTENANT JUNIOR GRADE AND ISSUED THE WWII HONORABLE DISCHARGE LAPEL PIN. RECALLED TO ACTIVE DUTY AFTER THE WAR AND SERVED AS A U.S. MARINE CORPS PILOT UNTIL AGAIN HONORABLY DISCHARGED.