The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Patrick G. Collins (MCSN: 0-76230), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Company D, Third Reconnaissance Battalion, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. On 14 May 1965, Captain Collins was the leader of a reconnaissance patrol operating at Nam Yen, in the vicinity of DaNang. While moving down a road, the lead elements of his patrol were taken under heavy automatic weapons and small arms fire from the high ground adjacent to the road. In the ensuing fire fight, Captain Collins fearlessly and repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire in order to effectively control and deploy his patrol members in order to bring effective fire upon the enemy. When two Marines were wounded and blown over an embankment by enemy grenades and lay exposed to enemy fire, he unhesitatingly advanced to a position from which he could deliver effective covering fire. Although exposed to enemy fire from a distance of approximately thirty yards, Captain Collins courageously remained in position for twenty minutes until the wounded Marines could withdraw. Continuing to maintain his exposed position, he provided covering fire for a patrol member who inched his way along an embankment to silence the enemy positions with hand grenades. By his courageous actions, fierce determination, inspiring leadership and exceptional devotion to duty, Captain Collins upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.