Was really glad to add this jumper to the collection. Been really interested in the Okinawa Campaign so this fit the bill, plus the DDay connection was a bonus! EM2c Arthur E. Collings was born in Southbridge, MA in 1912. Prior to enlisting in the USN in  December of 1942 he worked as a grinder at the American Optical Company. Collings found himself on the destroyer escort USS Blessman on September 19th, 1943 for its commissioning. Blessman took part in convoy escort duties from October 1943 throughthe next 6 months, during which they made 3 round trips to the ETO. Blessman was present on June 6th for the DDay landings at Normandy where it screened the command ship USS Ancon, later in the day it screened the invasion force for E-Boat attacks. The next day on June 7th the USS Susan B. Anthony struck a mine with no loss of life, the Blessman rescued several personnel from the ship. It also picked up survivors of the USAT Francis C. Harrington which had struck a mine. After Overlord the Blessman returned to the states to be converted to high speed transport, with Collings as a part of the crew until November of 1944 when he underwent minesweeper training. While undergoing minesweeper training he was on the YMS-418 for a short period of time. December of 1944 Collings joined the crew of the USS Hobson which the previous month had been converted from a destroyer into a destroyer minesweeper. The Hobson made its way to the PTO in January of 45. In March of 45 Collings and the Hobson found itself in action clearing mines from Okinawa’s offshore landing areas. Hobson and other minesweepers were harassed by Japanese planes during this time. On April 1st the Battle of Okinawa started, in the early hours of the invasion , she and USS Emmons were on radar picket duty with Hobson as fire support ship. Hobson also provided patrol and night illumination duties until April 13th when it replaced the USS Mannert L. Abele that had been sunk by an Ohka flying suicide rocket, for radar picket duty. On the 16th, Hobson and USS Pringle were attacked by more than a dozen Kamikaze, which sadly obliterated the Pringle sinking it in 6 minutes. A Kamikaze attacked the Hobson but was destroyed but the plane exploded close enough that it killed 4 and wounded 6 others. That day after picking up survivors of the Pringle the Hobson claimed 4 Kamikaze in a little more than an hour. The Hobson would leave Okinawa at the end of April. EM2c Collings was discharged in November of 45 and passed away in 2000 in MA.

 

 

Great looking uniform and great history!

Thanks for posting it.

BKW

I agree with Brian

Thanks guys! Was really glad to add it to my collection!

Very jealous! Beautiful minesweeper uniform. Wish it was mine!