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 Keith W. Colliver, United States Army, for gallantry in action on 25 October 1972 while serving as a Platoon Leader of the Special Mission Force, Pleiku Province, Republic of Vietnam. On the aforementioned date at approximately 0830 hours Lieutenant Colliver’s platoon was making a reconnaissance in an area where the enemy was suspected of launching rockets into the Pleiku City area. Lieutenant Colliver was accompanying the point squad when they suddenly noticed numerous well camouflaged bunkers. A quick inspection of the first bunker indicated the probable presence of an undetermined size enemy force. The bunker contained mortar rounds, AK-47’s, and B-40 rocket rounds. One of the squad members alerted the platoon that he heard enemy voices in the bunkers. Five enemy soldiers returning on a trail to the bunker complex were taken under fire by the flank element. Three enemy emerged from a bunker less than ten meters from Lieutenant Colliver. He took them under fire and killed these individuals. Enemy soldiers began to return fire from the numerous bunkers on all sides of the platoon. At this time Lieutenant Colliver disregarding his personal safety controlled and directed the attack on the bunker complex. He repeatedly exposed himself to assess the enemy situation and maneuver his forces against a well fortified enemy unit. Lieutenant Colliver realizing that his point squad was pinned down by fire from a bunker on the flank crawled from the bunker and fired from close range and hit Lieutenant Colliver while he was changing magazines. The enemy was subsequently killed by Lieutenant Colliver’s RTO. The platoon began to receive withering machine gun and B-40 rocket fire from enemy positions on flanking ridge lines. Although badly wounded and in severe pain Lieutenant Colliver directed and effected an orderly withdrawal. He remained with the covering element as the remainder of the platoon disengaged. During the withdrawal he refused medical aid and insisted that the other wounded be cared for first. When the platoon had withdrawn from the proximity of the enemy a MEDEVAC helicopter was called in to pick up the wounded and killed. Lieutenant Colliver was the last man on the “Dust-Off” ship which was in consonance with his conduct throughout the action — exemplary concern for the welfare and safety of the men in his platoon. Lieutenant Colliver’s 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.