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Capt. Collin Kelli Jr.

Capt. Colin Purdie Kelly, Jr. was a World War II B-17 Flying Fortress pilot who flew bombing runs against the Japanese navy in the first days after the Pearl Harbor attack. He is remembered as a war hero for sacrificing his own life to save his crew when his plane became the first American B-17 to be shot down in combat.

Kelly made his last take-off from Clark Field on 0700hr. on the 10th of December 1941, piloting a four engine Boeing B-17C “Flying Fortress” heavy bomber. Capt. Kelly and his crew bravely flew to Appari, North of Luzon Island and credited for attacking and sinking the Japanese light cruiser named Ashigara.

While returning to Clark, Kelly’s B-17C bomber was pursued by Japanese fighter aircraft, setting his bomber on fire and one waist gunner was killed. Kelly then ordered the remainder of the crew to bail out and all were saved. Kelly tried to save his bomber by making a “Belly Landing” at the barrio of Bical, Mabalacat, Pampanga but died in the process, in view of this Colin Kelly has been called the first American hero of the Second World War.

On the 10th of December 2009, 0900hr. Thursday, the Municipal Government of Mabalacat headed by Hon. Marino “Boking” P. Morales, Municipal Mayor thru the Mabalacat Tourism Office spearheaded by Guy Hilbero, Head of the Mabalacat Tourism Office, in participation of the 600th Air Base Wing, Philippine Air Force headed by Gen. Francisco Cruz Jr., Wing Commander of 600th Air Base Wing will be the 3rd year commemoration of the heroism of Capt. Colin Purdie Kelly Jr. at Kelly Theater Grounds, Clark Air Base, PAF, Clark Freeport Zone.

Lt. Col Scott Weston, American Embassy, will be one of the special guests of honor. Capt. Rene E. Tambago, (CHS) PAF will be for the invocation, Mayor Morales will lead the welcome address and Guy Hilbero for closing remarks. Some of the distinguish delegates are Larry Heilhecker, Veterans of Foreign Wars Commander U.S.A Post 2485, Mr. Benigno Ricafort, CDC Pres. & CEO, Lt. Col. Jason Chamness, Deputy Chief of U.S. Army, JUSMAG, Commander C.J Johnson, Officers and Members of VFW ladies group Post 2485, and the Unit 10 Ladies Auxiliary. (Story by:  Clarence Flores)