This is Charlie Collins' boot camp graduation picture in 1943 when he was 17 years old. He flew as nose gunner on a B-24 bomber in the 15th Air Force in Italy during World War II. Photo provided
Former Staff Sgt. Charlie Collins of Brookside Bluff mobile home park north of Arcadia was a member of “The Cottontails.” He flew as nose gunner in a B-24 “Liberator” four-engine bomber during World War II. His bomb group had cotton bulbs painted on their tails, thus the “Cottontails” moniker.
