Charles E. Kollman

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Charles E. Kollman (0-10277), Second Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession while serving as a Pilot in Marine Scout-Bombing Squadron ONE HUNDRED THIRTY-TWO (VMSB-132), Marine Air Group FOURTEEN (MAG-14), FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, in aerial combat against enemy Japanese surface forces in the Solomons Islands Area on 13 and 14 November 1942 and on 7 December 1942. On 13 November in the face of heavy antiaircraft fire, Second Lieutenant Kollman scored a direct hit on the Japanese battleship “Hiei”, contributing directly to the sinking of that vessel. Braving both hostile antiaircraft fire and aerial opposition on 14 November, he scored direct hits on an enemy cruiser and a hostile troop transport, thereby aiding immeasurably in breaking up the convoy which threatened the security of Guadalcanal. On 7 December, although he encountered intense enemy fighter opposition which resulted in the loss of his squadron commander and flight leader, he maneuvered his plane with outstanding skill, scoring a direct hit on one of a force of Japanese destroyers approaching Guadalcanal at dusk. By his excellent airmanship, superb courage and loyal devotion to duty, he contributed materially to the infliction of severe losses on the enemy and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Authority: Board Serial 612 (SofN Signed July 25, 1951)