Nelson Collins (abt. 1914 - 1943)

Born about 1914 in Missouri

Died 1 Aug 1943 at about age 29 in Bulgaria

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Biography

Nelson Collins was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (United States).

Nelson Collins was awarded the Purple Heart.

Flight Officer Nelson Collins served in the United States Army Air Forces in World War II
Service started:
Unit(s): 329th Bombardment, 93rd Bombardment Group, Eighth Air Force
Service ended: 1 Aug 1943

Flight Officer Nelson Collins was Killed in Action when his bomber crashed with another bomber in a cloud bank over Bulgaria returning from the target during World War II.

Nelson was born about 1914 in Missouri.

He joined the Royal Canadian Air Force after Pearl Harbor was attacked. In the spring of 1943, he transferred from the RCAF/RAF to the 15th US Air Force.

Nelson was an observer/extra pilot on the B-24 Liberator bomber, 'Let Er Rip' - #41-24121 on the 1 August 1943 mission to the Oil Fields and Refineries at Ploesti, Rumania named Operation Tidal Wave. His bomber suffered a mid-air collision with another bomber when they entered a cloud bank over Bulgaria returning from the target. Three crew members parachuted out of the stricken bomber and survived, a fourth chute failed to open and the crew member perished. Victor was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and a Purple Heart for the mission.

• Memorial: Find a Grave (has image)
  Find A Grave: Memorial #56362887 (accessed 3 July 2023)
  Memorial page for Flt O Nelson R. Collins (unknown-1 Aug 1943), citing Florence American Cemetery and Memorial, Florence, Città Metropolitana di Firenze, Toscana, Italy (plot: Plot D Row 9 Grave 40); Maintained by John Dowdy (contributor 47791572).
• 1920 Census: "United States Census, 1920"
  citing Affiliate Publication Number: T625; Affiliate Film Number: 454; Line: 63; FHL microfilm: 1820454; Record number: 22836;
  FamilySearch Record: MFWR-JL5 (accessed 3 July 2023)
  FamilySearch Image: 33S7-9R66-4VZ Image number 00475
  Nelson Collins (5), single son, in household of Harry Collins (34) in Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana, United States. Born in Missouri.
• 1930 Census: "United States Census, 1930"
  citing enumeration district (ED) ED 342, sheet 4A, line 40, family 139, NARA microfilm publication T626 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2002), roll 609; FHL microfilm 2,340,344.
  FamilySearch Record: X4YD-CWG (accessed 3 July 2023)
  FamilySearch Image: 33S7-9R4T-8XB Image number 01045
  Nelson R Collins (16), single son, in household of Harry W Collins (43) in Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana, United States. Born in Missouri.
• 1940 Census: "United States Census, 1940"
  citing Affiliate Publication Number: T627; Line: 68;
  FamilySearch Record: V11L-VHS (accessed 3 July 2023)
  FamilySearch Image: 3QSQ-G9MB-PK61
  Nelson R Collins (26), single son, in household of Harry Collins (54) in Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana, United States. Born in Indiana.

Sources

• 5 Hoosiers, 85 Others Moved From RAF, RCAF: "Newspapers.com"
  The Indianapolis Star (Indianapolis, Indiana) Tue, Apr 13, 1943, page 2
  Newspapers Clip: 127563866 (accessed 3 July 2023)
• Two Former Local Men Are Missing: "Newspapers.com"
  The Indianapolis Star (Indianapolis, Indiana) Tue, Aug 24, 1943, page 12
  Newspapers Clip: 55380252 (accessed 3 July 2023)
• 38 Hoosier Airmen Decorated for Raid on Ploesti Refinery: "Newspapers.com"
  The Indianapolis News (Indianapolis, Indiana) Wed, Nov 17, 1943, page 11
  Newspapers Clip: 104631135 (accessed 3 July 2023)
• Father Will Get Service Award of Nelson R. Collins: "Newspapers.com"
  The Indianapolis Star (Indianapolis, Indiana) Fri, Jan 7, 1944, page 24
  Newspapers Clip: 55380075 (accessed 3 July 2023)
• Was RAF Veteran: "Newspapers.com"
  The Indianapolis Star (Indianapolis, Indiana) Sun, Nov 19, 1944, page 2
  Newspapers Clip: 127564198 (accessed 3 July 2023)
• Military: "U.S., Headstone and Interment Records for U.S., Military Cemeteries on Foreign Soil, 1942-1949"
  American Battle Monuments Commission; Arlington, VA; Cemetery Records
  Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 9170 #71239 (accessed 3 July 2023)
  Name: Nelson R Collins; Gender: Male; Rank: Flight Officer; Residence Place: Indiana; Type of Medal: Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart; Service Number: T-190646; Military Unit: 330th Bomber Squadron, 93rd Bomber Group, Heavy; Military Branch: U.S. Army Air Forces; War: World War II; Death Date: 1 Aug 1943; Cemetery Plot Number: D; Cemetery Row: 9; Cemetery Section: Grave: 40; Cemetery: Florence; Burial Place: Via Cassia, Italy; Father: Harry W Collins.
• National Archives - Missing Air Crew Report number 462 Record Group 92: Records of the Office of the Quartermaster General, Series: Missing Air Crew Reports (MACRs)
• American Air Museum in Britain - Nelson R. Collins
• American Battle Monuments Commission - Nelson R. Collins
• American Air Museum in Britain - B-24 Bomber ‘Let Er Rip’ #41-24121