[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 172 (Friday, October 19, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1427]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        TRIBUTE TO PRIVATE FIRST CLASS (PFC) JOHN CALVIN COLLINS

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                          HON. WALTER B. JONES

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 19, 2018

  Mr. JONES. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise today to honor the life 
and legacy of Private First Class (PFC) John Calvin Collins, USA, who 
was the only Morehead City, North Carolina resident to be killed in 
action in the Vietnam War.
  John Calvin Collins was born to John and Della Collins in Morehead 
City, NC on November 14, 1948. He was a product of the public school 
system and attended W.S. King High School up until his senior year. His 
final year, however, John was among the first African Americans to 
integrate West Carteret High School. An exceptional student athlete, he 
immediately received recognition in baseball and lettered in football. 
In addition to athletics, he was a member of Boy Scouts, Troop #118, 
where he acquired countless leadership skills. Following a successful 
year and transition to a new school, John graduated in May of 1967.
  Shortly after graduation, John registered for the draft on September 
15, 1967, and was soon drafted. PFC John Calvin Collins enlisted in the 
United States Army on October 18, 1967, and reported for active duty 
the very next day. He received his basic military training at Fort 
Bragg, North Carolina and continued Advanced Individual Training at 
Fort Jackson, South Carolina.
  The following spring, on May 24, 1968, PFC John Calvin Collins was 
killed in action as a member of Company B, 1st Battalion, 5th Air 
Cavalry Division, of the United States Army. Just a few short months 
after the Tet Offensive, PFC Collins became one of the 16,899 Americans 
in 1968 who paid the ultimate sacrifice. While he was tragically killed 
on May 24th, it was not until late August that the Army Casualty 
Notification Officer was able to notify the Collins family.
  The military honors provided by the United States Army during the 
funeral services of PFC John Calvin Collins brought the Vietnam War up 
close and personal to the town of Morehead City, North Carolina. During 
his short tenure as a Combat Infantryman, PFC Collins earned the 
following listed badge and medals: Combat Infantry Badge, Purple Heart 
Medal, National Defense Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and Vietnam 
Campaign Medal. A brave young man, words will never be able to express 
our gratitude.
  Upon the 50th year of the anniversary of his passing, I would like to 
recognize PFC Collins' ultimate sacrifice to our great nation. PFC John 
Calvin Collins set an extraordinary example for all of us to follow 
through his service and sacrifice, and I am so very proud of this 
American. John Calvin Collins shall never be forgotten by those who 
knew him or the citizens of Morehead City.

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