Castor Bean Collins

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Castor Bean Collins, Lieutenant [then Lieutenant, Junior Grade], U.S. Navy (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Dive Bomber in Torpedo Squadron TEN (VT-10), attached to the U.S.S. ENTERPRISE (CV-6), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of the Marianas Islands, during the First Battle of the Philippine Sea, on 20 June 1944. An aggressive combat pilot, Lieutenant Collins boldly led a section of carrier-based torpedo bombers on an aerial strike against the main Japanese Fleet and, selecting an enemy aircraft carrier as his target, pressed home fierce attacks in the face of ferocious fighter opposition and devastating anti-aircraft fire from surround Japanese warships. Personally driving an enemy fighter away from a friendly plane with his guns he also scored two direct hits on the enemy carrier and caused a terrific explosion, thereby assisting essentially in the probably sinking of the hostile ship. By his brilliant airmanship, courageous initiative and resourceful command, Lieutenant Collins contributed materially to the success of our operations in this historic engagement, and his great personal valor in the face of grave peril was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Commander, Fast Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 0247 (July 13, 1944)