J. Lawton Collins

J. Lawton Collins
Collins in 1948
Birth nameJoseph Lawton Collins
Nickname"Lightning Joe"
Born(1896-05-01)1 May 1896
Died12 September 1987(1987-09-12) (aged 91)
Buried
AllegianceUnited States
BranchUnited States Army
Service years1917–1956
RankGeneral
Service number0-5247
UnitInfantry Branch
Commands
Conflicts
See battles
Awards
Spouse
Gladys Easterbrook
(m. 1921)
Relations

Joseph Lawton Collins (1 May 1896 – 12 September 1987) was a senior United States Army officer. During World War II, he served in both the Pacific and European Theaters of Operations, one of a few senior American commanders to do so. He was Chief of Staff of the United States Army during the Korean War.

Collins' elder brother, Major General James Lawton Collins, was also in the United States Army. His nephew, Brigadier General James Lawton Collins Jr. served in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. Another nephew, Michael Collins, was the command module pilot on the Apollo 11 mission in 1969 that put the first two men on the Moon and retired from the United States Air Force as a major general.