The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Private First Class Raphael Lorenzo Collazo (ASN: US-56707940), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving as the point man of the lead squad of the Aero Rifle Platoon of Troop C, 3d Squadron, 17th Air Cavalry, in support of the United States 9th Infantry Division Operations in Dinh Tuong Province, Republic of Vietnam on 17 March 1968. Private Collazo’s platoon came under heavy enemy automatic weapons fire as it moved along a canal in search of enemy elements. Private Collazo immediately returned fire to cover his fellow platoon members as they maneuvered into the canal. Having located the source of the enemy fire, he moved around the left flank of his platoon and into another canal which ran directly beside the heavily defended enemy position. Private Collazo then, with utter disregard for his own personal safety, assaulted and single-handedly destroyed the enemy bunker with grenade and rifle fire. As he did, another enemy position on the other side of the canal began firing in the direction of his platoon. Realizing that this weapon too, was a threat to the lives of the men of his platoon, he again began moving toward a heavily defended hostile position. Using a small sampan as cover, he was able to advance to within a few feet of the enemy before being seen. Then, while receiving fire from both sides of the canal, Private Collazo fought in two directions and was able to advance to within inches of his objective before being killed by the murderous crossfire. Through his resolute fearlessness, intense concern for his fellow soldier, and total disregard for his own personal safety, Private Collazo enabled the platoon to complete its mission and effect a successful extraction without further losses. His extraordinary heroism, uncommon valor, and intrepidity at the cost of his own life, above and beyond the call of duty, are in the highest traditions of the United States Army and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the Armed Forces of his country.