J. Lawton Collins

J. Lawton Collins (1896-1987) was a general in the United States Army, who served as Chief of Staff of the Army during the Korean War. Subsequently, he was the U.S. representative to the NATO Military Committee until 1956, and had a final assignment to South Vietnam.

Early career

Graduating from the United States Military Academy in 1917, he served in various Infantry positions, rising to temporary Major, September 1918; he commanded the 3d Battalion, 22d Infantry, in France, 1919, and was assistant chief of staff, G–3, of American Forces in Germany, 1920–1921; he married Gladys Easterbrook, 1921; he reverted to Captain, 1920.

Subsequently, he taught chemistry at West Point, 1921–1925; graduated from Infantry and Field Arillery School, was an instructor in weapons and tactics at the Infantry School, 1927–1931; was promoted to Major, August 1932; was executive officer of the 23d Brigade, Manila, and assistant chief of staff, G–2, Philippine Division, 1933–1934; graduated from the Army Industrial College, 1937, and the Army War College, 1938; was an instructor at the Army War College, 1938–1940; he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, June 1940;

World War II

One of the few generals to serve in the Pacific and European Theaters, he began WWII as Chief of Staff of VII Corps and participated in the Guadalcanal campaign

Vietnam

President Eisenhower's special envoy to Saigon, General J. Lawton Collins, concluded a formal agreement with General Ely on 13 December. Collins had served as Chief of Staff of the Army, and . His additional duties to Saigon were within the scope of the U.S. defense system centered on NATO; he had the personal diplomatic rank of Ambassador. This was his last assignment before retirement. Collins, in late 1954 and early 1955, supported the French recommendation that Diem could not unify the Vietnamese nationalists.