John Collins graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Class of 1965. He retried as a U.S. Navy Captain.
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John Collins graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Class of 1965. He retried as a U.S. Navy Captain.
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant, Junior Grade John Patrick Collins, Jr., United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving in the Republic of Vietnam. On 4 April 1968, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Collins as Task Element Commander embarked in Monitor 92-2, was conducting strike operations in support of Army elements on the Song Ba Lai River. While en route to the beaching area, the assault craft came under intense enemy fire from heavily fortified positions in the tree line on both river banks. The Viet Cong hit the column of boats with rocket, recoilless rifle, automatic weapons and small arms fire. Monitor 92-2 quickly received three direct hits from enemy RPG-7 rockets. Although under heavy direct fire, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Collins positioned himself above the coxswain’s flat of the monitor where he could best observe enemy fire, coordinate gunfire from the assault craft and direct the landing of troops. At the same time, he directed the monitor between the heaviest enemy fire and the more vulnerable troop carriers thereby significantly reducing personnel casualties. The Viet Cong resistance was so fierce that the landings could not be completed. With his entire formation under devastating rocket and machine gun fire, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Collins organized and led a disciplined withdrawal from the ambush site using his own monitor to shield crippled boats. After removal of the dead and seriously wounded and redistribution of personnel to man boats with depleted crews, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Collins led his unit back to the assault area to land additional troops in support of those ashore who were in heavy action with the enemy. As his column approached the landing site it again came under heavy attack from both banks. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Collins directed suppressive fire into the enemy positions and successfully maneuvered his boats to land the troops in desired areas. Throughout these intense actions, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Collins remained in his completely exposed position and calmly maneuvered his elements with consummate skill and successfully completed his mission. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Collins outstanding professionalism, sense of responsibility and courage under fire were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.