TLS- WW2 Genl, Army Chief of Staff Korean War, Apollo 11 Uncle

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TLS- WW2 Genl, Army Chief of Staff Korean War, Apollo 11 Uncle:
$9.99

1pg. TLS, Sept. 7, 1951, U.S. Army, Chief of Staff Lthd, by General Joseph“Lightning Joe” Lawton Collins (1896-1987) WW2 General, Chief of Staff U.S.Army during Korean War, Brother of WW2 General James Lawton Collins, and uncleof Astronaut Michael Collins (of Apollo 11 fame). In this letter toLawrence Spivak, co-founder of the TV news program “Meet the Press” Collins,declining an invitation to appear on the program, and informing him that he hassent a letter of introduction for Spivak’s daughter to General Maxwell Taylorin Germany as she was visiting Europe for three months. Comes with atissue copy of Collin’s letter to General Taylor. Also included is aprinted invitation to “Margaret and Johnny” to an August 12 party being held tohonor Collins and Major General Frank S. Cocheu. Collins writes, in part:“Dear Mr. Spivak… I hope your daughter’s trip to Germany will be a verypleasant one… No special arrangements are necessary to enable one to visit inthe western zones of Germany, including the West Sector of Berlin. Amilitary entry permit, authorizing this travel, may be obtained within one dayat either of the following [Allied High Commission permit office for Germany]offices. Nevertheless, I am also inclosing a letter to Major GeneralTaylor, U.S. Commander, Berlin, which Miss Spivak may find useful should she visitthat city. I feel certain that General Taylor will be glad to be of anypossible assistance… J. Lawton Collins.” Collins’ tissue copy toGeneral Taylor reads, in part: “Dear Max. This note will introduce MissJudith Spivak, a reporter on the Washington Post… she is planning to travel inEurope on a three-month leave of absence… should she bet to Berlin, she maycall upon you. If so, I will very much appreciate anything you can do tomake her stay a pleasant one….”

JOSEPHLAWTON COLLINSwas born in New Orleans and graduated from West Point in 1917 (Generals MatthewRidgway and Mark W. Clark were in his class. He commanded the 3rdBattalion, 18th Infantry Regt. in France in June 1919, and was AssistantChief-of-Staff with U.S. forces in Germany from 1920–21. From 1921-25 hetaught chemistry at West Point. From 1927-31 he was an instructor inweapons and tactics at the U.S. Army Infantry School. In 932 he was aMajor and Executive Officer of the 23rd Brigade in Manila, and from 1933-34 wasAssistant Chief-of-Staff with the Philippine Division. From 1938-40 hewas an instructor at the Army War College. By 1941 he was a full Coloneland Chief-of-Staff of the VII Corps. After the U.S. entered WW2 he waspromoted to Brigadier General. By May 1942 he was a Major General.From 1941-42 he was Chief of Staff of the Hawaii Dept. and Commanding Generalof the 25th Infantry Division (i.e., the \"Tropic Lightning\" Division)in operations against the Japanese on Guadalcanal between 1942–43 and on NewGeorgia in from July to October 1943. When appointed he was the youngestdivision commander in the U.S. Army, aged just 46. It was during this campaignthat Collins gained his nickname of \"Lightning Joe.\" In 1944 hewas transferred to Europe and placed in Command of the VII Corps during theNormandy Invasion through the end of the war. His appointed to CorpsCommander made him the youngest Corps Commander in the U.S. Army.Among the units serving under Collins\' command in Normandy was the veteran 82ndAirborne Division, commanded by Major General Matthew Ridgway, a fellowgraduate of the West Point class of 1917, coincidentally the same officer towhom Collins writes the letter of introduction for Judy Spivak. The VIICorps played a major role in the destruction of the Wehrmacht in Normandy, theliberation of Paris, and the Battle of the Bulge. Collins was one of thefew U.S. senior commanders to fight in both Europe and the Pacific. InApril 1945 Collins was promoted a temporary Lt. General, and a permanentBrigadier General in the regular army. Many German seniorcommanders believed Collins was one of the best American corps commanders onthe Western Front. For his service during the war Collins was three timesawarded the Army Distinguished Service Medal, twice awarded the Silver Star andtwice the Legion of Merit. From 1945-47 he was director of information ofthe U.S. Army. From 1947-49 he was Vice Chief-of-Staff of the U.S.Army. He was also a permanent Major General by 1948. From 1949-53Collins was Army Chief of Staff, and thus U.S. Army’s senior officer throughoutthe Korean War. From 1953-54 he was the U.S. Representative to theMilitary Committee and the Standing Group of NATO. From 1954-55 he wasspecial representative of the U.S. in Vietnam (with ambassadorial rank).He retired in 1956 and died in Washington D.C. in 1987. His olderbrother, Major General James Lawton Collins (1882–1963) was a also a WW2General. His son, Major General Michael Collins, was an Apollo 11astronaut, and part of the 3-man crew that made the first moon landing in July1969.

Theletter has staple holes at the top left, and a feint orange pencil underliningof Collins’ name, o/w very good. Buyer pays $3 shipping.