Modified Military Funeral Honors with Funeral Escort are Conducted for U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Michael Collins in Section 51 [Image 13 of 28]

ARLINGTON, VA, SAUDI ARABIA

01.30.2023

Photo by Elizabeth Fraser   

Arlington National Cemetery   

A firing party from the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard supports modified military funeral honors with funeral escort for U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Michael Collins in Section 51 of Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va., Jan. 30, 2023.

After graduating from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1952, Collins joined the Air Force and became a fighter pilot. In January 1954, Collins joined the 21st Fighter-Bomber Wing at George Air Force Base, Calif., where he learned to deliver nuclear weapons in his F-86 Sabre jet. From 1959 to 1963, he was a test pilot for the Air Force Flight Test Center at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. There, he tested performance, stability, and control characteristics of experimental Air Force fighter jets. During his career, he logged over 4,200 hours of flying time.

In October 1963, Collins joined NASA as a member of the third group of NASA astronauts. During the Gemini 10 mission, Collins became the third U.S. astronaut to complete a spacewalk. As the pilot of the Apollo 11 command module, Collins remained in lunar orbit while his fellow crew members, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, landed on the surface of the moon. He logged 266 hours in space.

After leaving NASA, he went on to hold such positions as assistant secretary of state for public affairs, director of the National Air and Space Museum, and undersecretary of the Smithsonian Institution.

Collins received many awards and decorations throughout his career, including the Presidential Medal for Freedom.

Collins’ daughter, Kathleen Collins, received the U.S. flag from her father’s funeral service.

(U.S. Army photo by Elizabeth Fraser / Arlington National Cemetery /released)

• Date Taken: 01.30.2023
• Date Posted: 01.30.2023 15:19
• Photo ID: 7608868
• VIRIN: 230130-A-IW468-602
• Resolution: 7360x4912
• Size: 25.28 MB
• Location: ARLINGTON, VA, SA