Port Arthur native, Major General Harold E. Collins began his military flight career in the European Theater of Operations in World War II. As a First Lieutenant, Collins in early 1950 flew the first "Sonic Boom" demonstration to the world's media. In 1951, during the Korean War, then Captain Collins, headed an urgent secret project, "Project Collins", to extend the range of U.S. fighters, fighter-bombers, and reconnaissance aircraft. His work lead to the first inflight refueling under combat conditions. He was awarded the second oak leaf cluster to the Air Medal for this historic and pioneering achievement. Captain Collins also set a new 15-25 kilometer world speed record of 707.889 miles per hour, piloting a North American F-86-D Sabre Jet, on September 1, 1953. That same month, Captain Collins became the First American to fly a Russian-built MiG-15 jetfighter. A North Korean defector pilot flew the aircraft to the U.S. Base at Seoul, Korea on September 21, 1953 and he collected a $100,000 reward offered by the United States Government for anyone delivering a flyable MiG-15 into U.S. hands. In extremely adverse weather with Russian-language cockpit labels and instrument markings, Captain Collins tested the aircraft at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa without a Pilot's Handbook or Operating Instructions. This flight was highly successful and produced a wealth of technical data. He was the first Air Force Pilot to fly a test mission in a Lockhead F-104 "Starfighter" Mach 2 Airplane known as a supersonic "Missile with a man on it", in 1954. He has commanded the 86th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, served as Chief of Fighter Test Division Wright-Patterson Air Force Base where he participated in the development of the F-101, F-102, F-104, F-105, and F-106. As Director of Flight Test Operations at the Edwards Air Force Base he supervised the test operation for the rocket-powered X-15. He served as Chief of the Aeronautical Systems Division, United States Strike Command U.S. Defense representative to Pakistan, and Inspector General for the Air Force Systems Command at Andrews Air Force Base, MD. Collins is a graduate of St. James High School in Port Arthur, Texas. He attended Lamar Institute of Technology in Beaumont, Texas, studying engineering. Also, he is a graduate of the National War College, St. Mary's University, and USAF Test Pilot School. In addition, he attended the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Graduate School of Business. Among his many honors, the Society of Experimental Test Pilots awarded him the grade of "fellow", the highest reserved for test pilots. Other military decorations and awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit with two Oak Leaf clusters, the Air Force Commendation Medal with one Oak Leaf cluster, and the Distinguished Unit Citation Emblem. A trophy to the best air refueling wing in the military has been named in his honor. Major General Collins achieved flight over 140 types of American and foreign aircraft and amassed more than 6,000 flying hours. He married Dorothy Joffrion, also a native Port Arthuran.

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