St. Augustine alum receives highest honor for military bravery

By Meghan Holmes
Contributing Writer

On May 20, friends, family and fellow soldiers gathered to honor United States Army Specialist Caleb Michael Collins in an Award of Valor ceremony at Jackson Barracks. The New Orleans native, and St. Augustine alumnus, posthumously received the nation’s highest military peacetime award for bravery: the Soldier’s Medal.

At the ceremony, Collins’ parents, Dawn and Ernest, and two sisters, Chelsi and Briana, accepted the award, which recognizes heroism not connected to direct conflict with an enemy.

In July 2015 Collins drowned off the coast of Hawaii, attempting to rescue a friend and fellow solider swept into the ocean during massive waves. At the award ceremony, Brig. Gen. Gary Brito described how a strong wave hit Spc. Shyheim Andrews, sweeping him into the ocean. Andrews followed without hesitation, jumping in to rescue Andrews. A third soldier, Spc. Caesar Alcantra, was sightseeing with Andrews and Collins, and a subsequent giant incoming wave swept him into the ocean along with the other men. His leg was injured, but he managed to climb to safety.

The three were visiting the Halona Blowhole, a rock formation and blow hole on the island of Oahu. Beneath the landmark, the erratic tidal currents have a name: Ka Iwi, or the Molokai Express, a description of the waves’ ability to pull swimmers and divers out into the sea and all the way to Molokai Island (25 miles east of Oahu).

In a statement, officials said that Collins, “showed remarkable bravery, courage and selfless action when he jumped into the ocean from a 25-foot ledge to save his battle buddy’s life… Collins was known to be a good swimmer and he was able to reach the Soldier but approximately five feet from the rocky edge a larger wave swept into the blow hole and pulled both Soldiers under and out into the ocean.”

In an interview with The Advocate, Collins’ mother recalled the last time she heard from Caleb, when he sent a text message out of the blue, two years ago and just prior to his accident. The message read: “Mom and Dad, thank you so much for all you’ve done for me. I’m going to make you proud. I love you very much.”

The message, and Caleb’s actions on the day of his death, reflect his reputation in New Orleans, and in the military, as determined, brave, respectful, and reliable. “Specialist Collins made the ultimate sacrifice, in complete disregard for his personal safety, and in keeping with the finest traditions of military heroism. They reflect distinct credit upon himself, 25th Composite Truck Company, 524th Sustainment Support Battalion, 25th Sustainment Brigade, 25th Infantry Division and the United States Army,” officials said.

Spc. Collins graduated from St. Augustine High School in 2011 and joined the United States Army in 2013. On Saturday at the award ceremony, his father Ernest described Caleb’s time at St. Aug as part of the school’s Marching 100 Band. “Caleb was never happier than when he was strutting down St. Charles Avenue, leading the Marching 100 in the color guard,” Ernest said. “Caleb embodied the true spirit of St. Augustine, selfless service to your fellow man.”

Some of Caleb’s former bandmates were in attendance at the Award of Valor Ceremony, and performed Johnny Gill’s “Fairweather Friend.”

Collins’ family and friends remember him as an inspiration to everyone around him. “He had everything to live for, but despite that, without a moment’s hesitation, he saw his friend in need, and jumped into the raging sea,” his father said. “The example set by my son has made me a better man.”

This article originally published in the May 29, 2017 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.