Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Specialist Fourth Class

    Batallion:

    3d Battalion

    Regiment:

    8th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    4th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    March 3, 1969

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, 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 while serving as assistant gunner of an M-60 machine gun team with Company A, 3d Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 3 March 1969, Specialist Fourth Class Coll’s company was patrolling a mountain near Plei Trap. Unknowingly, the company ran into an North Vietnamese Army battalion. Specialist Fourth Class Coll’s unit was surrounded by the numerically superior enemy force and the casualties began to mount. Specialist Fourth Class Coll moved from position to position, collecting belts of machine gun ammunition for his M-60 team. When he returned to his machine gun position, he found the gunner mortally wounded. He provided covering fire so his comrades could withdraw. Accomplishing this task, he was killed when he tried to extricate himself. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Specialist Fourth Class Coll, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.