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 pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Armor) Thomas C. Collins (ASN: 0-5247712), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force on 5 May 1968, while serving as a platoon leader with Troop L, 3d Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date in the vicinity of Phu Loi, Lieutenant Collins was leading a sweep operation through a rubber tree plantation when he observed a number of enemy elements running through the dense rubber trees to avoid the advancing armored assault vehicles. Moments later the friendly forces began receiving an intense barrage of enemy small arms, automatic weapons and anti-tank rocket fire. Fully exposing himself to the heavy volley of hostile fire, Lieutenant Collins stood on top of his assault vehicle and began firing grenades upon the fleeing North Vietnamese Army elements, killing two of them. Suddenly a violent explosion erupted from a nearby enemy spider hole knocking Lieutenant Collins to the deck of his vehicle and inflicting him with painful fragment wounds. Although wounded, he refused evacuation and began directing highly-accurate and deadly machine gun fire upon the enemy positions until the hostile positions were overrun. First Lieutenant Collins’ unwavering devotion to duty, disregard of personal safety and professional ability were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.