13 Facts About Colin Kelly

Colin Kelly is remembered as one of the first American heroes of the war 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.

Colin Kelly's was the first American B-17 to be shot down in combat.

Colin Kelly went on to West Point in 1933, graduated in the Class of 1937, and was assigned to a B-17 bomber group.

Colin Kelly was the first Army officer to fly the Boeing Flying Fortress in the Far East.

Colin Kelly's Flying Fortress had not been fully fueled or armed because of an impending Japanese air raid.

The crew was unable to locate the reported aircraft carrier and Colin Kelly decided to return to attack the ships that they had seen earlier.

Colin Kelly made two passes at 20,000 feet while the bombardier, MSgt Meyer Levin, set up for a precise drop.

Colin Kelly ordered his crew to bail out and though the fire had spread to the flight deck, Colin Kelly remained at the bomber's controls while he tried to keep the plane straight and level.

Colin Kelly was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross For "extraordinary heroism" and "selfless bravery".

Colin Kelly had earlier in peace time been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Colin P Kelly III went to West Point, but did it on his own taking the examinations and declining the Presidential nomination.

Colin Kelly Drive in Forest Acres, South Carolina, is named in his honor, as is Colin Kelly Street in Cranford, New Jersey.

Colin Kelly is cited in the 1946 song "Listen Mr Bilbo" by Bob and Adrienne Claiborne, sung by Pete Seeger, as along with Sgt.