Peter Collins, Jr.

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Peter Collins, Jr., Corporal, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Ronssoy, France, September 29, 1918. When his platoon was checked at the wire in front of a strongly manned enemy trench, acting on his own initiative, Corporal Collins led his Lewis-gun squad around the left flank of the platoon under terrific hand grenade, rifle, and machine-gun fire from the enemy. Leading his squad, he jumped into a German trench and, with his Lewis -gun, inflicted heavy casualties, silenced an enemy machine gun, and compelled many of the enemy to surrender. Then, by his rifle fire, he prevented the enemy from advancing in the trench from the left. While in the act of mopping up this trench, Corporal Collins was killed.