Colin Kelly
Colin Kelly | |
|---|---|
Kelly, painted in 1942 | |
| Birth name | Colin Purdie Kelly Jr. |
| Born | July 11, 1915 Monticello, Florida, U.S. |
| Died | December 10, 1941 (aged 26) Clark Field, Pampanga, Philippines |
| Buried | Oak Ridge Cemetery, Madison, Florida |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch | United States Army Air Corps |
| Service years | 1937–1941 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Unit | 14th Bombardment Squadron, 19th Bombardment Group |
| Conflicts | World War II |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Cross Distinguished Flying Cross Purple Heart |
| Alma mater | West Point Class of 1937 |
Colin Purdie Kelly Jr. (/ˈkoʊlɪn/ KOH-lin; July 11, 1915 – December 10, 1941) was an American B-17 Flying Fortress pilot who flew bombing runs against the Japanese navy in the days following the attack on Pearl Harbor. He is remembered as one of the first American heroes of World War II after ordering his crew to bail out while he remained at the bomber's controls trying to keep the plane in the air before it exploded, killing him. His was the first American B-17 to be shot down in combat.