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Navy Federal Credit Union
William
Magill
Collins
, Jr.
August 8, 1911

–

April 8, 1979

William Collins graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Class of 1934. He became a World War II Navy ACE, credited with shooting down 9 enemy aircraft in aerial combat. He retired as a U.S. Navy Captain.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Commander

    Batallion:

    Fighting Squadron 8 (VF-8)

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Commander William Magill Collins, Jr., United States Navy, was awarded a Third Gold Star in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Fighter Pilot and Commanding Officer of Fighting Squadron EIGHT (VF-8), during World War II.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Commander

    Batallion:

    Fighting Squadron 8 (VF-8)

    Action Date:

    March 30 – 31, 1944
    Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 338 (May 1945)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Commander William Magill Collins, Jr., United States Navy, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Commanding Officer of Fighting Squadron EIGHT (VF-8), in the Palau Islands, 30 to 31 March 1944.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Commander

    Batallion:

    Fighting Squadron 8 (VF-8)

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Commander William Magill Collins, Jr., United States Navy, was awarded a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Fighter Pilot and Commanding Officer of Fighting Squadron EIGHT (VF-8), during World War II.

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Commander

    Batallion:

    Fighting Squadron 8 (VF-8)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Bunker Hill (CV-17)

    Action Date:

    October 12, 1944
    Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 338 (May 1945)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Commander William Magill Collins, Jr., United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane and Squadron Leader in Fighting Squadron EIGHT (VF-8), attached to the U.S.S. Bunker Hill (CV-17), in action against enemy Japanese forces over Formosa on 12 October 1944. Commander Collins led the 14 planes of his carrier-based squadron on a fighter sweep, unhesitatingly directing them into combat against approximately 50 enemy fighters. Under his outstanding and aggressive leadership, his squadron shot down in flames five of the enemy without loss to any of their own. Commander Collins then led his squadron in their safe return to their base. Commander Collins’ outstanding courage, daring airmanship and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Commander

    Batallion:

    Fighting Squadron 8 (VF-8)

    Action Date:

    June 11, 1944
    Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 338 (May 1945)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Commander William Magill Collins, Jr., United States Navy, was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Commanding Officer of Fighting Squadron EIGHT (VF-8) and leader of a fighter sweep in operations against the enemy on 11 June 1944.