News Release

The last remaining survivor of the historic all-African American Pea Island life saving station died Sunday after waging a battle with cancer.

Born in Manteo, N.C., Jan. 1 1921, Collins enlisted in the Coast Guard in 1939 at Elizabeth City, N.C. Shortly after boot camp he was assigned to the Coast Guard Cutter Tallapoosa where he served as a mess attendant. He continued to serve as a mess attendant in subsequent assignments until he was assigned to the all-African American Pea Island life saving station where he served as a surfman for the duration of World War II.

During his assignment at Pea Island, Collins participated in a number of daring search and rescue missions including the response to a distressed ship that had been hit by a torpedo between the Pea Island and Chicamacomico Coast Guard stations.

This historic chapter in his career closed as Collins locked the doors of the Pea Island Station in 1947 as part of the last Coast Guard crew to staff this historic unit.

After closing Pea Island, Collins served in numerous capacities ashore and afloat, including tours aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Tamaroa in St. George, N.Y., Coast Guard Cutter Ironwood in Honolulu, the Coast Guard Yard in Baltimore, Md., District Five Headquarters in Portsmouth, Va., and Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Collins became a Boatswain’s Mate while at Pea Island and rose steadily through the ranks during his distinguished career. He earned his Warrant Officer appointment in 1959 and becoming a Chief Warrant Officer 4 in 1968. In 1969 he received a commission and was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant while stationed at Coast Guard Headquarters. He went on to assignments at Long Beach, Calif. and Portsmouth Va., before retiring in Aug. 1973.

Collins’ assignments prior to Pea Island include stations from Florida to Virginia, including the Coast Guard Cutter Mendota in Norfolk Va., where he served alongside another Coast Guard legend including renowned author and Coast Guardsman Alex Haley.

"I had the extraordinary personal honor to spend time with Herb Collins and his family not long ago and his love for our service was deep and enduring. Lieutenant Collins service to the Coast Guard and our nation is significant, especially in light of the challenges that African Americans faced as the service was integrated,” said Adm. Thad Allen, Coast Guard Commandant. "Today we mourn the loss of a legendary shipmate and at the same time celebrate his legacy of excellence and tenacity.”

For additional information on Collins’ career click here.