The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Specialist Fourth Class Dennis Joseph Coll (ASN: US-51983885), United States Army, for gallantry in action in connection with military operations against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Specialist Coll distinguished himself while serving as an assistant machine gunner with Company A, 3d Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division. On 3 March 1969, Specialist Coll’s company was approaching a ridgeline near Landing Zone PAUSE when it was subjected to intense fire by a well-entrenched and numerically superior enemy force. In spite of the devastating enemy fire that had immobilized his unit and mortally wounded several of his comrades, Specialist Coll left his position of relative safety and moved from man to man collecting machinegun ammunition which they bore. Returning to his position, he found the machine gunner mortally wounded. Manning the machinegun himself, he placed suppressive fire on enemy positions thereby enabling his comrades to withdraw to safer ground. After providing precious time for his comrades to regroup, he finally took cognizance of himself. As he maneuvered to rejoin his comrades, Specialist Coll was mortally wounded. Specialist Fourth Class Coll’s courageous acts, determination, and exemplary devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.