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)
Aircraft/Missile Information
Specifications StatsCentral Model Republic P-47D Thunderbolt Length 36.15 ft | 11.02 m Width 40.68 ft | 12.40 m Height 14.67 ft | 4.47 m Engine(s) 1 x Pratt & Whitney R-2800-59 Double-Wasp eighteen cylinder radial engine generating 2,535hp. Empty Weight 9,949 lbs | 4,513 kg MTOW 17,500 lbs | 7,938 kg Max Speed 433 mph | 697 km/h | 376 kts Max Range 449 miles | 722 km Ceiling 40,994 ft | 12,495 m | 7.8 miles Climb Rate 3,200 ft/min (976 m/min) Hardpoints 3 Armament 8 x 12.7mm Machine Guns 10 x 5 in Air-to-Surface HE Rockets
Provision for bomb load, fuel drop tanks or rockets to a maximum of 2,500lbs (1,134kg). Accommodations 1
Major Variants
* XP-47B - Prototype featuring XR-2800 radial generating 1,850hp. * P-47B - Production model based on XP-47B prototype; R-2800-21 radial engine. * P-47C - Extended fuselage; Later types of this model featuring R-2800-59 radial at 2,300hp; Provisions for drop tanks and bombs. * P-47D - Main production model of which 12,602 produced; R-2800-21W (2,300hp) or R-2800-59W (2,535hp) water-injected radial powerplants; Increased MTOW capacity; Provision for drop tanks and air-to-surface HE rockets. * P-47G - Wright-produced P-47D models of which 354 produced. * P-47M - 'Sprinter' interception model designed to combat the V1 / V2 rocket threat; Featured specialized airbrake system and R-2800-57(C) radial generating 2,800hp; 130 produced. * P-47N - Exclusive Pacific Theater model; Long range variant with increased and reinforced wing section of which 1,816 produced; Longer wingspan with blunt-tipped wing tips concealing fuel compartments; R-2800-77 radial generating 2,800hp.
