David Jim Collins was born January 22, 1949, in Clear Creek, West Virginia, the son of Donnie and Mary Fraley Collins. Though born in Raleigh County, David grew up in the Forrest Hill area of Summers County. David attended Forrest Hill Elementary and Talcott High School and participated in basketball and baseball while a student. He graduated with the class of 1968.
According to long-time friend Norman Kirkham, David informed him shortly after graduation that when he concluded a visit to family members in Cleveland, Ohio, he was going to join the Army. David entered the service on October 7, 1968. He began his tour of duty in Vietnam on March 22, 1969, and served with the 101st Airborne Division. On July 1, David Jim Collins died in combat. He was posthumously promoted to corporal, and his body was returned to the United States for interment in Workman's Creek Cemetery. In October 1969 the parents of David Jim Collins were presented with the Bronze Star he had been posthumously awarded.
West Virginia Archives and History welcomes any additional information that can be provided about these veterans, including photographs, family names, letters and other relevant personal history.