World War II Honoree

Calvin Leroy Collins

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Junction City, Ohio

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Seaman Second Class. He was inducted into the United States Navy April 5, 1943 at Columbus, Ohio, with recruit training at the U.S. Naval Training Station Great Lakes, Illinois. Upon his graduation from boot camp, he was transferred to the USS Nashville Cruiser, CL-43 for duty as an on-the-job trainee. The Cruiser and her shipmates on October 16, 1944 sailed from Manus Island, Australia Admiralty Islands transporting General MacArthur, and his staff back to the Philippines. The General’s return marked the invasion of the Philippine Islands, against the Imperial Japanese armed forces, (Battle Dates: October 17-December 26, 1944) Code Name: King Two, Southwest Pacific Theater of Operations. On December 13, 1944 an Imperial Japanese Kamikaze Pilot flew into the Cruiser off-shore of Negros Island. Killed in action on the day of the attack, during the liberation of the Philippines, and buried in the United States Armed Forces Cemetery, Leyte #1 Philippine Islands. After the cessation of hostilities with Japan, the family of this Seaman received his remains for burial. He was laid to rest with Military Honors, September 8, 1948 at the Grafton National Cemetery in Grafton, West Virginia. This American Patriot was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously, for his ultimate sacrifice in defense of his country.