The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Captain Roland H. Collins (MCSN: 0-16527), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism as Commanding Officer of Company L, Third Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, 9 May 1945. Joining the assault elements of his company despite heavy enemy rifle, machine-gun and mortar fire, Captain Collins personally led them in an attack against a strongly defended ridge position, the capture of which was essential to the completion of the Battalion’s mission and to the securing of its exposed flank. Although wounded in the neck by hostile mortar fire while crossing a wide gorge with the assault elements in an attempt to reach the objective, he refused to be evacuated and continued to direct his men in the attack. Effecting the capture of the ridge in the face of fanatical Japanese resistance and holding it against repeated attempts of the enemy to dislodge the unit, he remained with his assault elements until his company was relieved, due to the heavy casualties sustained during the action. By his courageous perseverance, inspiring leadership and unwavering devotion to duty, Captain Collins contributed materially to the success of our operations in this strategic area, and his great personal valor in the face of grave peril upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.