[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 112 (Friday, August 1, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1612]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            COL. PATRICK COLLINS, BATTLE TACTICS EXPERT, 64

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. PAUL McHALE

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 31, 1997

  Mr. McHALE. Mr. Speaker, Col. Patrick Gerald Collins, who as a 
retired marine officer advised the service and other organizations 
about the tactics, training needs, and battlefield doctrine of 
tomorrow, died last Thursday in Fairfax, VA, at the home of one of his 
daughters. He was 64 and lived in Hampton, NH, near Portsmouth.
  The cause was a heart attack his family said.
  Colonel Collins fought in two wars--in Korea, as a forward artillery 
observer, and, after being commissioned, in Vietnam. His decorations 
included the Silver Star, five Bronze Stars, and three Purple Hearts.
  He retired from active duty in 1969 and at his death was a training 
and operations consultant at the Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory in 
Quantico, VA. He also advised organizations including the Institute for 
Defense Analysis, the Center for Strategic and International Studies, 
and the U.S. Justice Department.
  The marines valued Colonel Collins for his advice on the service's 
probable battlefield role in future conflicts. When he died last week, 
he was praised by Gen. Charles C. Krulak, Commandant of the Marine 
Corps, the service's highest-ranking officer, as ``perhaps our finest 
small-unit tactics instructor.''
  Colonel Collins was born in Grosse Pointe, MI, and enlisted in the 
Marines at 18. He was commissioned in 1958, after his combat service in 
Korea, and served three tours of duty in Vietnam, first leading 
reconnaissance and infantry platoons and companies, then serving as a 
battalion executive officer and a battalion commander.
  He also served in Europe, headed a special training group at Camp 
Lejeune, NC, and was on the general staff at Marine Corps headquarters. 
He graduated from Army Ranger School and Navy Diving School before 
distinguishing himself instructing combat units. He served as a special 
assistant to three Marine Corps commandants and was credited with 
helping to shape the service's special operations objectives in the 
1980's.
  While in the service, Colonel Collins also became a regular college 
student. He graduated in business administration from Bowling Green 
State University in Ohio and received master's degrees in Irish studies 
from Catholic University in Washington and in administration from 
Chapman College in Orange, CA.
  He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Mary Fallon Collins; their 
son, Michael S., of Hampton; three daughters, Kara Collins of Fairfax, 
and Rose Sullivan and Maira Collins, both of Hampton, and four 
grandchildren.

The Words of Lt. Gen. Wm. M. ``Bull'' Keys, USMC (Ret); in Farewell to 
 His Fellow Warrior, Colonel Patrick G. ``Paddy'' Collins, U.S. Marine 
                            on July 22, 1997

       Mary (Collins) asked that I say a few words about Pat. I 
     know there are many people here today who could stand up here 
     and tell wonderful and funny stories of their memories of 
     Colonel Pat Collins.
       Many would be much more eloquent speakers than I . . . But 
     few could feel any more loss and deep sorrow than I, for 
     losing my pal, Pat.
       Hardly a week went by when I did not talk to Pat, often 
     several times a week. You know, Pat seemed to me to be 
     immortal. I never envisioned life without him.
       When I first met him, over 35 years ago, he was a strong, 
     big-hearted, courageous Marine who stood out as a man who 
     would always be there when you needed him . . .no matter what 
     the circumstances. He was a Man, a real Man . . . who went 
     out of his way to help his fellow Marines. Always ready for a 
     frolic or a fray, it did not matter which.
       Until a few days ago . . . nothing ever happened to change 
     my view of his immortality.
       Pat loved three things in this world . . . and his whole 
     life revolved around them in some way, or another.
       FIRST--HIS FAMILY--for he was a real family man. His love 
     for Mary and the children was always at the top of his 
     priorities. He talked about them all the time.
       MARY--you were his rock and inner strength . . . you always 
     were. His accomplishments are your accomplishments, and they 
     always will be.
       MIKE and Rosie and Kara and Moira . . . You are his pride 
     and joy . . . the best of Pat lives in you and your children. 
     All of you were special to him . . . in your own way and he 
     always wanted nothing but the best for you.
       MIKE--he was so proud of you when you graduated from 
     Airborne school . . . he made the Graduation Jump with you!!!
       Not too bad for somebody who had not jumped for many years 
     . . . and was over 50!
       His SECOND great love was HIS Marine Corps. This American 
     Patriot served Corps and Country for over 40 years. He 
     traveled paths few have ever seen. He was a true 
     trailblazer, a real pioneer in the Marine Corps, one who 
     always led from the front! His Corps and country grew in 
     great strides during that period, and he was a large part 
     of that. From the frozen tundra of Korea to the sweltering 
     jungles of Vietnam to bombed out Beirut, . . he was 
     there!!! I almost got him to go to Kuwait with me. . . You 
     know. . . '' JUST IN CASE!''
       Most of those years he served his country, he did it at 
     great personal risk. . . he was no stranger to risk. . . and 
     that's one more reason he means so much to the Marine Corps . 
     . but, that was Pat!
       No man ever loved the Marine Corps more nor served it 
     better than Pat did. He truly gave his everything to making 
     the Corps better for the Men and Woman who dedicate their 
     lives to it's service. He had a special desire to help young 
     Officers and enlisted NCO's. He knew they and their training 
     are what makes the Marine Corps the envy of every Military 
     organization in the world.
       Pat embodied the real meaning of LEADERSHIP, both in and 
     out of Combat. He did this in a quiet and subtle manner, in a 
     very unique way . . that would leave an impression on you 
     forever.
       There are many here today who learned some basic truths 
     from Pat, that have motivated them in their lives, both in 
     and out of Combat. For those of us who knew him well, he will 
     always be a part of us.
       His THIRD great love, of course, was anything Irish and his 
     friends. He was proud of his Irish heritage and made it a big 
     part of his being. The Marine Corps had it's very own Irish 
     flavor because of Pat.
       Pat loved a good time, a good joke and a funny story. He 
     laughed a lot and life was meant to be enjoyed . . And enjoy 
     it, he did. We will all miss him terribly, but perhaps we 
     should all be as fortunate in as many ways as Pat! Remember . 
     . He knew the love of a beautiful woman, the love of his 
     children and he had the sure knowledge that he served his 
     Corps and Country well. He survived the worst that combat 
     could ever throw at him.
       Colonel Pat Collins knew the sincere respect of strong men, 
     the fear of weak ones and the admiration and total dedication 
     of all those who served with him. His is a legacy of Our 
     Corps that is envied by many.
       Pat gave each of us something special . . and for that, we 
     won't forget him. It wasn't the rows upon rows of medals he 
     wrote over his proud heart . . it was what was behind those 
     medals that made him so special. All of us gathered here 
     today, remember this great MAN, this great MARINE and what he 
     stood for . . His family, his country, his Corps and his 
     friends. Pat's loyalty to all these, is a shinning and true 
     testimony to all who are gathered here in Arlington at this 
     hour.
       To close, I would like to use the words of the poet, G.K. 
     Chesterton: which I think Pat would have liked.
       ````Here's to the Great GAELS of Ireland . . the men that 
     God made Mad . . For all their wars are merry . . and all 
     their songs are sad!''
       All the Best! SEMPER FIDELIS, PAT!

       

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