The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private Gregory H. Watkins (ASN: RA-18836643), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations against an armed hostile force while serving with the 526th Collection Classification & Storage Company in the Republic of Vietnam. Private Watkins distinguished himself while defending his barracks against attack by a Viet Cong Sapper Unit on 9 April 1968. During the early morning an attack by satchel charges and grenades was launched on the billeting area of Private Watkins’ company. As soon as he realized that the attack was a direct ground attack rather than a mortar attack, Private Watkins warned all the men in his barracks and immediately took charge, providing the leadership that was needed to calm the men. He positioned himself in the door of the barracks through which the Viet Cong were trying to enter, and brought the enemy under heavy fire with his M-14 rifle, although he was himself constantly exposed to direct fire. After beating back the initial attack, Private Watkins helped to block the door with footlockers and continued to direct fire on the enemy until he ran out of ammunition. As the last men were leaving the barracks, the Viet Cong succeeded in throwing a satchel charge into the doorway, fatally wounding Private Watkins. By completely disregarding his own safety and taking courageous, positive action, Private Watkins enabled 30 to 40 of his comrades to escape from the barracks. His extraordinary heroism in close combat against an enemy force with superior fire power and cover was in the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.