Vice-Admiral Sir John Augustine Collins was a highly distinguished officer of the Royal Australian Navy who served with distinction during both the First and Second World Wars. Born in 1899, Collins achieved historical significance as one of the very first graduates of the Royal Australian Naval College to successfully attain flag rank. Over the course of his long and notable military career, he eventually rose to the rank of vice admiral and served as the Chief of Naval Staff. During the Second World War, Collins held critical command positions. He commanded the cruiser HMAS Sydney during the Mediterranean campaign, directing key naval operations. Later in the conflict, he led the Australian Naval Squadron in the Pacific theatre. It was during this service in the Pacific in 1944 that Collins was wounded in the first recorded kamikaze attack. His leadership and service throughout these global conflicts established him as a premier figure in Australia's naval history. He lived until 1989, passing away at the age of 90.
