William James Collins

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to William James Collins, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, U.S. Navy (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane in Torpedo Squadron NINE (VT-9), embarked from the U.S.S. YORKTOWN (CV-10), in action against major units of the Japanese Fleet off Kyushu, Japan, on 7 April 1945. Flying by instruments through a solid overcast in a brilliant torpedo attack against the enemy battleship YAMATO and four screening destroyers, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Collins broke through the clouds and carried out a perfect torpedo run at point-blank range to score a direct hit squarely amidships on the battleship, thereby contributing materially to the sinking of the vessel a few minutes later. Although his plane had been hit while retiring from the attack through a cross-fire of intense anti-aircraft fire from the hostile warships, he brought his plane and crew through unscathed. By his superior airmanship and determined fighting spirit, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Collins upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Commander, 1st Carrier Task Force, Pacific: Serial 0508 (June 28, 1945)