J. Lawton Collins

J. Lawton Collins
Birth nameJoseph Lawton Collins
Nickname(s)"Lightning Joe"
Born(1896-05-01)1 May 1896
New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
Died12 September 1987(1987-09-12) (aged 91)
Washington, D.C., U.S.
Buried
AllegianceUnited States
Service / branchUnited States Army
Years of service1917–1956
RankGeneral
Service number0-5247
UnitInfantry Branch
Commands
Battles / wars
Awards
Spouse(s)
Gladys Easterbrook
(m. 1921)
Relations

General 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.