The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Kenneth G. Collins (ASN: 0-5320557), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Company A, 1st Battalion (Airborne), 327th Infantry, 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division. First Lieutenant Collins distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 9 June 1966 while serving as a platoon leader with a company of the 327th Infantry attempting to relieve a besieged unit near Dak To. As his company moved up a densely vegetated hill, it was suddenly pinned down by a murderous barrage of automatic weapons fire from insurgent positions along the ridge. Unmindful of the dangers, Lieutenant Collins unhesitatingly exposed himself to the hail of bullets and led his platoon in an attack up the slope. Forced to the ground by enemy fire from a nearby bunker, he quickly silenced the position with a grenade. Hostile emplacements all around him opened fire and, seconds later, Lieutenant Collins was severely wounded in the left eye by an exploding grenade. Dazed, but undaunted, he rallied his men and mounted a savage assault which swept through three Viet Cong positions, before being halted by intense machine gun fire from both flanks. Shouting orders and encouragement, Lieutenant Collins withdrew the platoon to more defensible terrain. Determined to recover his dead and wounded, he regrouped his men and charged back up the hill. Making repeated trips through the darkness, torrential rain and hostile fire, Lieutenant Collins ensured that all casualties were secured before leading his weary platoon back to the company perimeter in the valley below. Although he was nearly blind, he continued to display boundless courage which inspired his fellow soldiers to repulse numerous hostile attacks throughout the next day. First Lieutenant Collins’ extraordinary heroism 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.