James Francis Collins

For other people with the same name, see James Collins.

General James Francis Collins (2 September 1905 – 22 January 1989) commanded the U.S. Army, Pacific from April 1961 until his retirement in 1964, and was President of the American Red Cross from 1964 until 1970.

James F. Collins
General James F. Collins
Born	(1905-09-02)2 September 1905 Bronx, New York, US
Died	22 January 1989(1989-01-22) (aged 83) Washington D.C., US
Place of burial	Arlington National Cemetery
Allegiance	United States of America
Service / branch	United States Army
Years of service	1927–1964
Rank	General
Commands	U.S. Army, Pacific 2nd Infantry Division 71st Infantry Division
Battles / wars	World War II
Awards	Distinguished Service Medal (2) Legion of Merit Bronze Star Medal
Other work	President, American Red Cross

Biography

At West Point in 1927

James Francis Collins was born in The Bronx on 2 September 1905, and raised in the Van Nest neighborhood.^[1][2] A graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, he gained his commission in 1927 into the Field Artillery.^[1] He later attended the National War College. He also worked in the Hawaiian Division before the outbreak of World War II, during which he served exclusively in the Pacific Theater.

At the close of World War II, Collins commanded the I Corps Artillery in the Philippines and in Japan. From 1954 to 1957 he commanded the U.S. Army, Alaska. Afterward he commanded the 71st and 2nd Infantry Divisions before his tour in Hawaii. Other significant assignments include serving on the faculty of the Army War College and as Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel, Department of the Army in Washington, D.C.^[2]

Collins was appointed President of the American Red Cross in 1964, one month after retiring from the Army.^[3] During his tenure he enhanced Red Cross services to American military personnel in Vietnam and to military hospitals worldwide.^[2]

He died from prostate cancer at Walter Reed Army Medical Center on 22 January 1989.^[2] He is buried with his wife Marian A. (1905–1986) at Arlington National Cemetery.^[4]

Decorations

	Army Distinguished Service Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster)
	Legion of Merit
	Bronze Star
	Air Medal
	American Defense Service Medal (with Foreign Service Clasp)
	Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with three bronze campaign stars
	World War II Victory Medal
	Army of Occupation Medal with Japan clasp
	National Defense Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
	Philippine Liberation Medal
	Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation
	Presidential Unit Citation

Notes

1. Cullum, George Washington (1930). Donaldson, William H. (ed.). Biographical Register of the Officers and Graduates of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y. From Its Establishment, in 1802, to 1890. Vol. VII: 1920–1930. Association of Graduates, United States Military Academy. p. 2053. Retrieved 2 January 2023 – via Internet Archive.
2. "James F. Collins, 83; retired general". Miami Herald. Washington. 26 January 1989. p. 331. Retrieved 2 January 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
3. "Red Cross Gets New President". Miami Herald. Washington. AP. 1 April 1964. p. 12. Retrieved 2 January 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
4. Burial Detail: Collins, James F – ANC Explorer

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from the United States Army

External links

• Generals of World War II