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 Platoon Sergeant Vernel Collins (ASN: RA-15516192), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. On 6 February 1968, Sergeant Collins distinguished himself while serving as a Platoon Sergeant with Company A, 1st Battalion, 22d Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division. Company A was conducting a search and destroy mission near the City of Kontum. The company was pursuing an enemy force at the top of a small hill when it suddenly came under intense enemy small arms and mortar fire. The company Commander was wounded by the initial volleys of enemy fire, leaving Sergeant Collins’ Platoon Leader in command of the company. Realizing that his company’s position was untenable, Sergeant Collins, acting on his own initiative, reorganized his platoon to facilitate its withdrawal. Most of the casualties had been in or near the point element when wounded, and all efforts to retrieve them had been unsuccessful. Nevertheless, with complete disregard for his own safety, Sergeant Collins moved forward to aid his fallen comrades with only limited supporting fire to cover his approach. His first move was toward his fallen leader. Throughout his rescue efforts, Sergeant Collins was a target for enemy fire, but continued his mission and carried his company commander to safety. All during this brave act, rounds impacted all around him, but never struck Sergeant Collins. After surrendering his wounded leader to the Medical Aidman, he again and again returned to the battlefield to aid his fellow soldiers. Platoon Sergeant Collins’ gallant determination, fortitude, 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.

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 a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Sergeant First Class Vernel Collins (ASN: RA-15516192), United States Army, for gallantry in action. Sergeant First Class Collins distinguished himself by gallantry in action on 30 April 1970, while serving as Light Weapons Advisor to the 28th Regional Forces Company Group on an airmobile operation in Kien Van District, Kien Phong Province, Republic of Vietnam. On that date, Sergeant Collins’ unit was conducting a sweep of an area when the friendly force came under intense mortar, machine gun and small arms fire. Immediately realizing the seriousness of the situation, Sergeant Collins began directing in the gunship and the command and control aircraft to deliver fire on the enemy position in an effort to reduce the enemy fire. At the same time he attempted to direct the troops out of the killing zone of the mortar fire and to establish a base of fire to allow other elements to maneuver against the enemy. The problems were intensified immediately with the loss of both Vietnamese Company Commanders and control of the friendly forces deteriorated dangerously. Sergeant Collins attempted to get the remaining forces out of the killing zone and away from the numerically superior enemy forces. In his heroic attempt to move the friendly forces out of the ambush to safety, Sergeant Collins was wounded. Disregarding his wound, he laid down a base of fire to cover the withdrawal of the friendly forces, and he remained at his firing position against overwhelming enemy odds until he was mortally wounded. Sergeant First Class Collins’ conspicuous gallantry in action was in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.