Norwood Army Surgeon Decorated with Legion of Merit for Heroism Under Bombing in the Pacific

Legion of Merit

Lt Col James F. Collins of Norwood, Mass., recently awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct as an Army surgeon, wasted little time in putting his medical ability to good use at Bougainville.

The night after Col Collins’ arrival with the veteran Americal Division, a Japanese anti-personnel bomb crashed through the tent adjacent to his, seriously wounding an Australian officer.

The latter’s adjutant ran out, shouting, “Has anyone got a first-aid kit?” Col Collins popped out of a nearby foxhole, despite the continued bombing, and immediately gave medical treatment that probably saved the Australian’s life until the wounded man could be taken to an operating table.

Col Collins, who has been overseas some 28 months, is an old Holy Cross College golf star, and also active in baseball.

More Norwood Veteran Stories

  • Norwood Airport Is Scene of Mock Battle as Guns Rout Planes-This Day In Norwood History-April 7, 1940

    Gun Crew ‘Defends’ Norwood Airport NORWOOD. April 7 — Norwood Airport was the military objective of a flight of “enemy” planes this afternoon at a demonstration of anti-aircraft equipment at which the crew of Battery D 211th Coast Artillery (anti-aircraft), better known as the First Corps Cadets, repulsed the “invaders.” Police estimated a crowd of…

  • Tales of Tyot-The Christmas Heart of Tiot

    o—0—o Hanging A Holly Wreath Of Memories Around Tiot’s Village Hall And Square. A Merry Christmas At “The Hook” To Old And New Timers From Author In the summer of 1915 they cut the heart out of Tiot, threw it on the railroad embankment like a dead cat, and put In a new heart, in…

  • Tales of Tyot-The South Church In Dedham

    Dr. Fogg Tells About First Church Erected In What Is Now Norwood The first finished church was located corner of Walpole and Winter Sts, South Dedham. The church was finished June 23, 1736. Rev. Thomas Balch was ordained the first pastor, June 30. 1736. John Everett, Ezra Morse, John Dean chosen deacons July 18, 1736…

  • Norwood V.F.W. Post Founded With 33 Members-This Day In Norwood History-March 19, 1932

    Norwood Post, V. of F. W., was instituted last night in the Junior High School Hall, with 33 charter members and representatives from Dedham, Stoughton. Roslindale, Taunton, Rockland, Brockton, Weymouth and Medway assisted in the ceremonies. Henry S. Williams, commander of the Taunton Post, and staff installed the officers. County Organizer Joseph Fern of Weymouth…

  • Gov. Allen Dedicates Norwood Armory-This Day In Norwood History-January 24, 1930

    NORWOOD. Jan 24-In the presence of high military officials, Norwood town officers, and Selectmen from surrounding towns. Gov Allen tonight dedicated the new State Armory on Nahatan St. Thomas B. Mulvehill, chairman of the Board of Selectmen, was master of ceremonies. Adjt Gen Jesse M. Stevens presented the keys of the Armory to Col Harry…

  • Norwood Will Dedicate Memorial Building Tomorrow-This Day In Norwood History-November 10, 1928

    Norwood Will Dedicate Memorial Building Tomorrow-This Day In Norwood History-November 10, 1928

  • Seeking More Funds For Norwood Memorial Building-This Day In Norwood History-June 14, 1927

    NORWOOD, June 14-The largest turnout of the season Is expected at the special town meeting to be held tomorrow evening starting at 8 o’clock in Everett Hall to hear and act on the report of the Memorial Municipal Building committee and to appropriate sufficient additional amount of money so that the committee can go ahead…

  • Dream Comes True At Last in Norwood’s Memorial-This Day In Norwood History-May 26, 1926

    NORWOOD’S MEMORIAL MUNICIPAL BUILDING AS IT WILL LOOK WHEN COMPLETED NORWOOD, May 26—The dream of a good many years was realized Monday evening in Everett Hall at the special town meeting when the citizens unanimously voted to appropriate $265,000 for a Memorial Municipal Building. For many years this question has hung fire and from the…

  • Ora Holman Helped Hunt Down John Wilkes Booth, Turns 91-This Day In Norwood History-May 30, 1922

    A legendary local patriot celebrates a milestone. At 91 years old, Walpole Street resident Ora Holman stands as Norwood’s oldest Civil War veteran, carrying a thrilling personal history that includes riding 100 miles through the night in the urgent pursuit of Lincoln’s assassin, John Wilkes Booth.

  • Norwood To Erect World War Veterans Memorial-This Day In Norwood History-December 15, 1920

    The committee appointed to bring in recommendations for a suitable memorial for the soldiers and sailors of the World War reported at the special town meeting in Everett Hall last night. The recommendation adopted includes the erection of a building for town purposes, with rooms for the town officers, the construction to be deferred until…

Discover more from Norwood Historical Society

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.