The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Private First Class James Collins (ASN: 13022149), United States Army, for The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Private First Class James Collins (ASN: 13022149), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company F, 2d Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces in the vicinity of *****, Tunisia, on ** April 1943. On that date, Company F, 16th Infantry, attacked a town on an extremely steep and rocky hill which afforded the attackers little cover and the enemy excellent observation, and after very hard fighting reached the objective on the top of the hill. During the action, Private First Class Collins, with absolute disregard for his personal safety, voluntarily crawled to an enemy machine gun position and, though painfully wounded in the face, put it out of action with a hand grenade. Later, when a counter attack by superior enemy numbers forced Company F to withdraw, Private First Class Collins, his wounds still unattended, took up a position to protect the rear of his unit and covered the retreat until his ammunition was exhausted. He was last seen by his comrades as he crawled to a nearby machine gun to continue its protective fire against the advancing enemy. His extraordinary heroism, supreme devotion to duty and self-sacrificing efforts on behalf of his comrades, brought about a successful withdrawal, and reflect the highest traditions of the Armed Forces of the United States.