WARSAW — Lewis Eugene Collier of Warsaw was just announced Veteran of the Month at the Aug. 11, Kosciusko County Commissioner’s meeting. County Veterans Affair Officer Rich Maron was there to present the award.

Collier, son of Charles and Valda Collier, grew up just outside of Pierceton and worked at the family-owned Collier Oil Company.

After graduating from Pierceton High School in 1968, Collier joined the U.S. Army. Upon the completion of his training, he was sent to Vietnam and assigned to the 117th Assault Helicopter Company, where he flew on a hunter-killer team and performed night medivacs.

On Dec. 17, 1970, Collier was discharged after 16 months in country, and 1,366 combat flight hours.

Upon returning from combat, Collier attended IPFW, and graduated in 1975 from Indiana University. He went on to become a full-time instructor for the Army Aviation Support Facility in Shelbyville, and instructed in helicopters and airplanes until 1998.

Collier retired as a chief warrant officer 5 with over 10,000 hours and over 26 years of military service. Among his awards, Lewis received two Army Bronze Stars with Valor, five Vietnam Campaign medals, US Army Humanitarian medal, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, 63 air medals, six army commendation medals, seven emergency service medals, master army aviator badge and the National Defense Service medal.

Collier retired from Airborne Express Inc. in 2010, where he flew a Boeing 767 airplane with a total flight time of over 22,000 hours.

Collier, along with his wife of 43 years, Terri Evans Collier, have three children and seven grandchildren. He is currently the commander at Menzie-Reece, Post No. 258, American Legion in Pierceton. He is also an active member of the Pierceton Presbyterian Church.