William R. Collins

William Robert Collins (February 5, 1913 – October 16, 1991) was a highly decorated officer of United States Marine Corps with the rank of major general. As lieutenant colonel, Collins distinguished himself as Tank Battalion Commander during Iwo Jima battle, but he is most noted for his service as commanding general of III Marine Expeditionary Force at the beginning of Vietnam War.

Early career

William R. Collins was born on February 5, 1913, in Washington, D.C., where he studied at Western High School. He graduated in summer of 1931 and enrolled the Georgetown University, where he graduated in June 1935 with Bachelor of Science degree in Foreign Service. While at university, he was a member of ROTC unit and obtained reserve army commission on June 1, 1935.

Upon the graduation in spring 1936, he was attached to the 5th Marine Regiment at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia. Collins was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant in September 1938 and transferred for the instruction at Army Infantry School at Fort Benning, Georgia where he completed the tank course in June 1939. He then served as platoon leader and executive officer of 1st Tank Company at Quantico base until March 1940. They were part of a top secret inter-service Flame throwing tank development group composed of Army, Navy Seabees and Marines. Going with Lt.Col. Collins would be four M4A3 Shermans with CB-H1 (POA-CWS-H1 in Army nomenclature) flamethrowers from Schofield Barracks.

The Fifth Marine Division was attached to the V Amphibious Corps under Major General Harry Schmidt for the upcoming attack. Collins and his tanks landed early on February 19. Lt. Col. Collins aggressively directed his unit in support of the assault and despite heavy hostile fire, mine fields and terrain obstacles, helped establish the beachhead.

On February 22 when intense enemy mortar fire disrupted communications between the infantry and armor that inflected heavy casualties on the ground troops, Collins dismounted from his tank and under heavy fire established contact with the Infantry Commander. Updated on the situation, he returned to his Sherman and directed tank operations which resulted in the saving of many lives.

In August 1955, Collins was transferred to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina as commanding officer of 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division under Major General Reginald H. Ridgely. Colonel Collins supervised the landing exercise of regiment at Vieques, Puerto Rico, during the beginning of 1956.

General Collins then participated in the meeting with MACV commander, General William Westmoreland in Saigon and discussed the details of Marine landing at Chu Lai. With the arrival of more 3rd Marine Division units to Vietnam, Joint Chiefs of Staff ordered the activation of III Marine Expeditionary Force on May 6, 1965, and placed Collins in command. He now held simultaneously command of 3rd Marine Division and III Marine Corps.

Silver Star citation Citation:

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel William R. Collins (MCSN: 0-5182), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of the Fifth Tank Battalion, FIFTH Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands from 19 February to 26 March 1945. After landing with his Battalion early on D-Day, Lieutenant Colonel Collins aggressively directed his unit in supporting the assault troops and despite heavy hostile fire, mine fields and terrain obstacles, sided materially in the establishment of the initial beach head. On 22 February when intense enemy mortar fire disrupted communications between the infantry and supporting tanks and caused heavy casualties among the front line troops, he dismounted from his tank and braved the heavy fire to contact the Infantry Commander and establish liaison. Receiving information on the situation, he returned to his vehicle and directed effective tank operations which resulted in the saving of many lives. By his courageous leadership and skilled tactics Lieutenant Colonel Collins contributed materially to the successful accomplishment of the Division's mission and his devotion to duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.