Howard George Collett

Branch: Army Air Corps
Rank: SSGT
Born: February 12, 1920
Reported Missing: October 26, 1943
Unit: 529 Bombardment Squadron, 380 Bombardment Group (Heavy)
Location: Timor, Southwest Pacific
Current Status: Not Recovered
Memorial: Enfield Street Cemetery, Enfield CT

SSgt Collett was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross posthumously, along with two other crew members, for giving “their lives to save fellow members of the crew”. After a successful bombing run, they were intercepted by 10 to 12 enemy fighters. In attempting to protect the other bombers, one engine was destroyed and another was set on fire. Flying with three engines they became separated from the rest of the formation after emerging from the clouds where they met 10 enemy fighters. In a 40 minute engagement, eight enemy aircraft were shot down and the bomber lost two more engines. The Flight Officer was able to help some crew members before the plane sank. SSgt Collett read from his pocket bible over the intercommunication system, even after he was gravely wounded. When the airplane landed on open sea, he remained at his post and went down with the plane.