Regret we lost another local hero June 30, 2008

Stories about fighting in all theaters of WWII. I ask that these be stories directly from veterans and not previously published material.
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Cat Man
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Regret we lost another local hero June 30, 2008

Post by Cat Man »

Amid all our discussions about wheel seals, fuel filters and GI Canvas, we sometimes loose sight of the quiet heros among us.

I was saddened to learn today that my friend and neighbor, Staff Sgt Orville Collins, late of the 101st Abn Division, 502 Parachute Infantry Regiment passed away on Monday June 30, 2008 here in Denmark Wisconsin USA at age 89 years.

Orville was among the original 101st Airborne Paratroops trained in the early days of WWII. He jumped into Normandy on June 6th, Jumped into Holland at Market Garden and moved up to defend Bastonge with the 101st in Dec 1944.

While leading a patrol crossing a frozen stream on Christmas Eve night near Houffalize Belgium a member of the patrol crashed thru the ice. To avoid freezing to death in the cold, Sgt Collins lead the patrol to a local farm house and began drying out the trooper. The local farmers wife turned them in to a German patrol who surrounded the farmhouse and captured the 101st paratroopers. They spent the remainder of WWII in a POW cooler.

I met Orville about 15 years ago and learned of his story. He had been a member of the local VFW but never said much about his service. Just returned home in 1946 and farmed in the area until retiring in 1989.

One night at a local pub we met as he and his wife were leaving after dinner. I quietly said "Airborne" as he passed. At age 80 he spun around came to attention and instantly replyed "all the way" like he was 18 years old. He looked at me and sat down for a beer and the telling of many long past stories. We met and talked of his service several times after that.

Thankfully the Wisconsin Veterans History project has recorded the
stories of many of our local veterans. After we learned of Orville Collins service, and at our urging, the vets project sent a film crew and interveiwed my neighbor and recorded his story before age and disease took his memory.

Don't let these heros pass, make all efforts to record there hjstory before the colors fade.

Long shadows still streach from here to there. And our quite heros fade away each day and the connection is lost.

Sgt Orville Collins, 502 PIR, 101ABN, WWII. "All The Way" Rest trooper, rest in peace.

Your friend,

Cat Man
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dr deuce
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Post by dr deuce »

Great story. Thanks for sharing it with us. This is what all these HMVs are really about" Them and what they did for us!

I salute him an all our veterans, past and present.

In 3 minutes, I will pause to remember that Freedom is not free....
Dr Deuce Over 50,000 driven miles in a CCKW
1942 CCKW closed cab shopvan
1943 CCKW closed cab cargo w/M32 MG mount
1944 CCKW open cab LeRoi Kompressor
1944 CCKW open cab F1 Aircraft fueler tanker
1945 CCKW open cab cargo w/artic cab
1942 Chev cargo
1942 Chev K51 Panel
1944 Chev M6 Bomb Truck
1942 GPW Jeep
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KEVINABR
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Post by KEVINABR »

thanks cat man great story truely a sad loss as yet another hero hands in his dog tags
1941 GMC 352 A1 Cargo 29595
1942 GMC 353 F2 Workshop 102620 ST6 Type M18 Electrical Repair
1942 GMC 353 B2 Cargo
1942 Ben Hur 1ton Wooden Cargo Trailer
1942 Chevrolet G506 G7113 Tractor 1NK 245837
1944 5ton The Trailer Company of America, Stake and Platform Semi Trailer
1943 Dodge WC63 6x6 82035401
194? Diamond T 968a 968A7471
PFC 514th Q.M T.C We Deliver Everything, Except Babies
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