SF3c Austin Collins

Austin Collins was born July 26, 1919 at Sebree, a town of about 1,100 in western Kentucky. His mother, Della Griffin Collins, was a homemaker and his father, Lon Collins, a farmer. 

Austin, one of eight full and half-siblings, enlisted in the Navy on Jan. 11, 1940. He had been living in Evansville, Indiana, and working as a truck driver’s helper.

In August he or his parents asked that he be discharged so he could help his father, who had not been well since he had influenza in February.  A man from the area recruiting station was asked to investigate and wrote: “Parents own 107 acres of land, 40 of which under cultivation; home 4-room frame building in poor condition and of general unsightly appearance; family poor, hard-working farmer class. Farm mortgaged in 1918, $625 still owed. Father says realizes only about $100 profit a year, but neighbors say should make at least $500.”

The report said Austin had sent his parents $30 since he’d joined the Navy. His entry pay was $21 a month, but after six months he probably earned $36 a month. In other words, while his contribution to the family was small, it was a significant part of his income.

The parents said he liked the Navy and was not homesick but was willing to return home if needed. The examiner concluded that the parents would be better off if he stayed in the Navy and sent money to them.

He was a shipfitter and petty officer third class on the U.S.S. Arizona when he was killed in the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Dec. 7, 1941. He father had a stroke and died in 1943 at the age of 71.

In 1948 what once was the Sebree Colored School was deeded to the American Legion and Post 243 was named in Mr. Collins’ memory. 

A half-brother, James C., served in the Army during World War I. A sister, Villa Mae, worked at a factory that manufactured P-47 Thunderbolts during World War II.