The astronaut and Foggy Bottom PR: Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs Michael Collins, 1969–1971

Michael Collins was one of the three astronauts in the Apollo 11 moon landing in 1969, although only the other two walked on the moon. Upon his return, he became Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs. His main assignment was to reach out to the college generation that was protesting the war in Viet Nam. Collins served for 15 months, resigning to head the nascent National Air and Space Museum. This article recounts his experience as the top public relations officer for the State Department and concludes with Collins’ own views on the experience, 35 years later.