Paul J Collins

Military

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 447th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 447th Bomb Group
  • Service Numbers: 17079222
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio operator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 359th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 33313638 (enlisted) / O-765628 (officer)
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 447th Bomb Group 708th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 33623789
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant (RAF)
  • Role/Job: Armorer-gunner (left waist)
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 447th Bomb Group 708th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 0707387
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 25th Bomb Group 447th Bomb Group 654th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 11083425 / O-?
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Blanco Diablo
  • Unit: 447th Bomb Group 708th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Swanee Pride
A ground crewman with a crashed B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-31092) of the 447th Bomb Group. Official caption printed on image: 'ISAD 22 June 44 (1574) Crash Landing B17G 42-31092 HON WS.' Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Batch II.'
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Butch II
  • Unit: 401st Bomb Group 447th Bomb Group
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Ground Pounder
  • Unit: 447th Bomb Group 708th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Shack Happy
  • Unit: 447th Bomb Group 708th Bomb Squadron

Places

Revisions

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added a "O-" to the S/N to aid clarity & consistency.

Date
ContributorLowell Silverman
Changes
Sources

Interview with Paul J. Collins on August 28, 2020; Special Order No. 144, HQ, USAAF STA 126 (dated June 15, 1944). Achieved rank of 1st lieutenant during WWII, achieved rank of major prior to retirement in 1963.

Date
ContributorLowell Silverman
Changes
Sources

Updated Paul J. Collins mission record compiled by Chris French. Aircraft used on aborted mission October 7, 1944 after swap.

Date
ContributorLowell Silverman
Changes
Sources

Collins trained with Lt. DeFilippis stateside; interview with Major Paul J. Collins (July 21, 2020) https://www.fold3.com/page/653606765-rocco-defilippis

Date
ContributorLowell Silverman
Changes
Sources

Theater information

Date
ContributorLowell Silverman
Changes
Sources

1st Lieutenant Paul J. Collins Combat record compiled by Chris French

Date
ContributorLowell Silverman
Changes
Sources

1st Lieutenant Paul J. Collins Combat record compiled by Chris French

Date
ContributorLowell Silverman
Changes
Sources

Journal-Every Evening (November 27, 1944)
The News Journal (June 6, 2016)
SO #144, HQ, USAAF STA 126 (June 15, 1944)

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / Unit History Roster as of 01 August 1945