Background
COLLIER, Francis Marion was born on March 31, 1888 in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, United States. Son of Samuel Alexander and Sarah (Gilly) Collier.
Lieutenant Commander United States Navy
COLLIER, Francis Marion was born on March 31, 1888 in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, United States. Son of Samuel Alexander and Sarah (Gilly) Collier.
Virginia. Polytechnic Institute. Naval Academy.
On United States Ship-South Carolina as Passed Midshipman. Appointed Ensign 1912. Lieutenant, (jg) 1915.
Lieutenant (Temporary) 1917, permanent 1918. Lieutenant Commander (Temporary) 1918, permanent 1921. Entered War, went to Queenstown, Eng. in destroyer early 1917.
Chief Engineer of destroyer. Returned to United States 1917. Executive Officer, put new type of destroyer in commn., returned to Europe operating out of Brest, France.
Comnd. of converted yacht Vedette doing Coastal Patrol work operating out of Brest to Bordeaux 1918. Vedette was also pilotship of destroyer Worden. Brought Worden back to United States.
Was given comnd. of Ballard, went to Europe operating with Hoover Food Commission 1919. Went to shore duty at Navy Yard, Norfolk, Virginia. 1919; given assignments of Executive Officer in various ships including Executive Officer of Receiving ship at New York Assistant Commandant and Captain of Yard of 7 Naval District at present.
Awarded the Navy Cross for work in escorting ships through Mine Field at Brest, France.
Member: Alumni of Virginia. Polytechnic Institute. New York Chap, of V. Philippine Islands.
National. American Legion (Alumni). Clubs: Army and Navy of Washington, District of Columbia and New York.
Spouse Linda May Ward, September 19, 1921, Norfolk, Virginia.