World War II Honoree

William Robert Collins

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Washington, District Of Columbia

Honored By

Pearl Thomas

Appointed commanding officer of the Marine detachment aboard the cruiser USS New Orleans. At the time of the attack on Pearl Harbor, New Orleans was in the dock under repair local Navy Yard. He took part in the defense of the ship against enemy dive bombers and later participated in the transporting of troops to Palmyra and Johnston Atolls. While aboard New Orleans, he took part in naval battles of the Coral Sea and Midway. In February 1944, he was appointed commanding general of 5th Tank Battalion, 5th Marine Division and was attached to the V Amphibious Corps for the upcoming attack on Iwo Jima. He was appointed Tank Battalion Commander of all three divisions of V Amphibious Corps 3rd, 4th, and 5th Marine Divisions. It was the largest concentration of Marine tanks in the war. He was decorated with the Silver Star for gallantry in action. The 5th Marine Division was sent to Japan for occupation Duty. Received American Defense Service Medal with Base Clasp, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with four 3/16" service stars, American Campaign Medal, and WWII Victory Medal.