This Military Service Page was created/owned by
SSgt Robert Bruce McClelland, Jr.
to remember
Collins, Frank Junior, Brig Gen USAF(Ret).
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Contact Info
Home Town Breckenridge, Texas
Date of Passing Dec 13, 2000
Location of Interment Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery (VA) - San Antonio, Texas
He was credited with destroying 9 enemy aircraft in aerial combat, plus 1 probable and 1 damaged.
His Silver Star citation: Awarded for actions during World War II
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major (Air Corps) Frank J. Collins (ASN: 0-664528), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action while participating in aerial flight in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations as a pilot of a P-47 type aircraft, 319th Fighter Squadron, 325th Fighter Group, FIFTEENTH Air Force. On 22 January 1944, Major Collins was leading his flight of four (4) P-47's in strafing Guidonia Airdrome near Rome, Italy when attacked by twelve (12) to fifteen (15) enemy fighters. Major Collins, although greatly outnumbered, gallantly attacked and shot one of the enemy down in flames. Two more enemy fighters were now in position for a close attack and fired bursts that scored hits in his own tail. Before the enemy fighter could maneuver again, Major Collins turned back into the enemy, registering hits that sent the enemy plane down in flames. During this action, Major Collins had lost sight of two of his fellow pilots. He tried to radio contact but all attempts were futile. He then gallantly circled above the battle area for several minutes striving vainly to locate the missing pilots and render any necessary assistance. Such outstanding gallantry in action, devotion to duty, and inherent courage, together with his outstanding personal combat record of over nine (9) victories and seventy nine (79) mission against the enemy, reflects the highest credit upon Major Collins and the Armed Forces of the United States of America.
General Orders: Headquarters, 15th Air Force, General Orders No. 146 (March 18, 1944)
WWII - European Theater of Operations/Air Offensive, Europe Campaign (1942-44)/Operation Strangle
From Month/Year
March / 1943
To Month/Year
January / 1944
Description Operation Strangle was a series of air interdiction operations during the Italian Campaign of World War II by the United States Fifteenth and Twelfth Air Forces to interdict German supply routes in Italy north of Rome from March 24, 1943, until the fall of Rome in spring 1944. Its aim was to prevent essential supplies from reaching German forces in central Italy and compel a German withdrawal. The strategic goal of the air assault was to eliminate or greatly reduce the need for a ground assault on the region. Although the initial goal of forcing the enemy to withdraw was not achieved, the air interdiction of Operation Strangle played a major role in the success of the subsequent ground assault Operation Diadem.
Two principal interdiction lines were maintained across the narrow boot of Italy. This meant that no through trains were able to run from the Po Valley to the front line, and that south of Florence substantially all supplies had to be moved by truck. The operation employed medium bombers and fighter bombers over a 150-square-mile (390 km2) area from Rome to Pisa and from Pescara to Rimini.
