The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Richard H. Collins, United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary actions above and beyond the call of duty in the Republic of Vietnam. Captain Collins distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 16 October 1966 while flying in support of ground operations in Bac Lieu Province. He was airborne for eight and one-half hours performing continuous reconnaissance, giving fire support, and conducting radio relay for widely dispersed units. After receiving a call for aid from a pinned down Vietnamese Regional Force, he immediately made low level passes to locate the Viet Cong. Upon locating a squad of insurgents, Captain Collins, while receiving hostile fire, dove to a very vulnerable altitude to insure accuracy with all of his rockets. Having killed two insurgents and thrown the others into confusion, he continued to make low level passes, drawing fire away from friendly troops. Through his efforts he single-handedly forced the entire Viet Cong unit to break contact with the Regional Force, allowing it to assume a more defensible position. Captain Collins’ outstanding flying ability and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.