MSG James D. Collier, Jr.

MSG James D. Collier, Jr. ID: 8158

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First Name: James

Last Name: Collier

Birthplace:

Gender: Male

Branch: U.S. Army Air Forces (1941 - 1947)

Middle Name: D.

Date of Birth:

Date of Death: 19 November 1945 (Official)

Rank: Master Sergeant

Years Served:

James D. Collier, Jr.

Engagements:
• World War II (1941 - 1945)

Biography:

James D. Collier, Jr.
Master Sergeant, U.S. Army Air Forces

James D. Collier, Jr. entered the U.S. Army Air Forces from the state of Louisiana to serve during World War II. At the time of his disappearance, he was assigned to Headquarters Squadron, V Bomber Command at Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.

On 26 March 1943, MSG Collier was a crew member on the B-17 Flying Fortress #41-24384, "Pluto." Also on board was the Commanding General of V Bomber Command, Brigadier General Howard K. Ramey. The mission of the aircraft was to carry out a scheduled 7-hour reconnaissance flight of Merauke and Horn Island.

The last communication ever heard from the aircraft was a message from the radio operator twenty minutes after takeoff. An extensive air search was conducted but no sign was ever found of the aircraft, or the twelve men on board. All on board the aircraft were officially declared dead on 19 November 1945.

The crew and passengers remain Missing In Action:

Pilot Brig. Gen. Howard K. Ramey, O-10874 [Honoree Record ID 3299]
Co-Pilot Lt. Col. Harold N. Chaffin, O-22469 [Honoree Record ID 3627]
Passenger Capt. Stanley A. Loewenberg, O-0282379 NY [Honoree Record ID 2815]
Passenger Lt. Comm. Ferdinand D. Mannoccir II, 131324 USN [Honoree Record ID 149551]
Passenger Capt. James R. Griffin, O-389636 [Honoree Record ID 44240]
Passenger 2nd Lt. William Lief, O-726002 [Honoree Record ID 148003]
Passenger M/Sgt James D. Collier Jr., 6920942
Passenger T/Sgt Ortis L. Quaal, 6149056 [Honoree Record ID 157896]
Passenger S/Sgt Robert R. Stith, 18004634 [Honoree Record ID 164559]
Passenger S/Sgt Harry A. Johnson, 12031847 [Honoree Record ID 144228]
Passenger Sgt Marvin Berkowitz, 6979447 [Honoree Record ID 125443]
Passenger Pfc George T. Hopfield, 6668063 [Honoree Record ID 110052]

Date Missing In Action: 26 March 1943
Official Date of Death: 19 November 1945

Master Sergeant James D. Collier, Jr. was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart.

Note: The names of the crew and passengers are listed on the Tablets of the Missing at The Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, Manila, Philippines.

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=35384469

Honoree ID: 8158

Created by: MHOH

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