24 Aug 2002 I met Dave at Marine Corps Base 29 Palms, California, in 1964 when he was a Pfc. I had just returned from MCCWTC Pickle Meadows and was Corporal-in-charge of all the messmen. Dave and I were with the 2nd Light Anti Aircraft Missile Battalion. One day Dave came up to me and told me this wild story of how he was from Carson City, Nevada, and he knew my girlfriend Kathy. Dave then gave me this line of how he and Kathy went to school together and that their birthdays were on the same day. Dave went on to say if I'd give him the weekend off he would go back to Carson City and while there would tell Kathy what a great guy I was. Well, what a deal. I let Dave have the week end off and from then on we became pretty good friends. Dave and I went to Vietnam together in August 65 with 2nd LAAM Bn. The next time I saw Dave he told me he was transfering out of the Battalion and he wanted to go to the Grunts. I didn't see Dave again. When I returned to the states I went to Carson City and married Kathy who is still my wife today. We both miss Dave and I'm sorry we never saw him again. I know he returned to the states and then went back over but I didn't see him. Dave was a good Marine, Semper-Fidelis my friend and I hope I see you again some day. Carson City is not the same without you and Mike. From a fellow Marine rgm89701@yahoo.com David Leroy Collins, Corporal, United States Marine Corps, is buried in Plot 1C-28-09, Lone Mountain Cemetery, Carson City, Nevada.

 

01 Dec 2003 I didn't know David personally, but my parents did and they have really never gotten over losing him. My Mom worked with his Mom and my dad was good friends with David. He was talked about a lot while I was growing up and I feel that somehow he is a part of our family. One day while I was reading the paper there was an article written by the late Rollen Melton and he wrote about a storage unit that had a couple of awards and medals for a man named David L. Collins. I couldn't believe what I was reading and I called my Mom and asked her if it was David and she said yes. Then I called my Dad and told him the same thing and he told me to call the Veterans Office here in Reno. I contacted the man in charge and he got ahold of David's awards which were later given to his Father with Honors. I also got a copy of his Citations and I hold them dear to my heart. I know where his grave is and I have taken my two young children to show them that this brave young man gave his life for our freedom. His Birthday is coming up this weekend and I plan on taking my kids there to place flowers and Old Glory on his site. May God Bless him always and I hope someday to meet this hero. Semper Fi, Dave 01 Feb 2004 Just thinking about you today, David. On this day, February 1, 1968 you gave your life for our country and I want to thank you for that. You are truly missed by our family. You will never be forgotten. God Bless you and keep you always. Michelle Yup TheKidCart@aol.com

 

HEADQUARTERS U. S. MARINE CORPS OFFICE OF THE COMMANDANT Washington, D. C. 20360 The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the SILVER STAR MEDAL posthumously to CORPORAL DAVID L. COLLINS UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS for service as set forth in the following CITATION: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a rifleman with Company F, Second Battalion, Fifth Marines, First Marine Division (Reinforced), in the Republic of Vietnam on 1 February 1968. During Operation HUE CITY, Corporal Collins' platton was taken under devastating small-arms, authomatic weapons and rocket fire by a numerically superior North Vietnamese Army force. In the initial moments of the attack, the lead squad sustained several casualties and was pinned down. Although carrying his radio, he moved forward through the intense enemy fire to direct accurate fire against the enemy. As the unit was reinforced with tanks, and because of the lack of communications between the tanks and infantry, Corporal Collins dashed through the fire-swept streets and climbed on top of one of the vehicles to direct their fire. Although he was exposed to enemy fire, he steadfastly maintained radio contact with the tanks and fired his weapon. Undaunted by the heavy volume of fire directed at him, he courageously maintained his precarious position and continued to direct the tanks until he was mortally wounded. By his bold initiative, gallant fighting spirit and loyal devotion to duty, Corporal Collins reflected great credit upon himself and the Marine Corps and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country. For the President, //s// L. F. Chapman Commandant of the Marine Corps Transcribed from the Letter Citation by K J Davis, CDR, USN (Ret)

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