Michael Collins, a Major General in the United States Air Force (Retired), was born on October 31, 1930 in Rome, Italy.
His first space flight was with John Young aboard Gemini 10 in 1966. He later circled the Moon alone in the Apollo 11 command module Columbia while Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed in the lunar module Eagle and walked on the moon in July 1969. He later served as the first director of the National Air and Space Museum.
He wrote four books: Carrying the Fire: An Astronaut’s Journeys, Flying to the Moon and Other Strange Places, Liftoff: The Story of America’s Adventure in Space and Mission to Mars.
Collins died on April 28, 2021 of cancer at his home in Naples, Florida.
Space Flights:
- Pilot, Gemini 10, July 19-20, 1966. Rendezvoused with two Agena spacecraft with John Young, buried in section 3.
- Command Module Pilot, Apollo 11, Columbia and Eagle, July 16-24, 1969. First lunar landing mission.
Total Hours in Space: 266
Astronaut Group: 3-October 18, 1963
Degrees: BS, Military Science, U.S. Military Academy at West Point, 1952.
Military Service and Awards: Served in the Korean and Vietnam wars as a fighter pilot and later as a test pilot. Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross, Legion of Merit.
Other Awards: Presidential Medal of Freedom, Congressional Gold Medal, NASA Distinguished Service Medal, NASA Exceptional Service Medal.
Interred at Arlington National Cemetery: January 30, 2023
Section: 51
Grave: 2891
Grid: Pending
How to locate: Directions pending.
Image source: Arlington National Cemetery 