The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant (Corps of Engineers) Kent D. Steele, Jr. (ASN: 0-5432327), United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary actions above and beyond the call of duty on 4 March 1969 while serving as a helicopter pilot with the Air Cavalry Troop, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date while on a reconnaissance mission, Lieutenant Steele spotted a well-concealed , heavily fortified enemy base camp. After alerting a friendly ground force as to the location of the bunker complex, he began making low level passes over the hostile positions so that his crew chief could mark them with smoke grenades for helicopter gunships and for the advancing ground troops. As the friendly force entered the area, it came under intense enemy small arms and automatic weapons fire and suffered several casualties. Hearing of the need for an evacuation helicopter, Lieutenant Steele maneuvered his aircraft into an extremely small and hazardous landing zone only ten meters from a hostile automatic weapons emplacement. When the enemy position opened fire, he was forced to lift the aircraft out of the landing zone. In spite of the continuing intense enemy fire, he tried two more times to complete the evacuation but was unable to because the friendly ground troops were pinned down by the hostile fusillade. As Lieutenant Steele piloted the helicopter out of the landing zone the third time, the engine received several direct hits and lost power. Only his expert handling enabled him to crash land the aircraft without any injuries to the crew. L First Lieutenant Steele’s outstanding courage and deep concern for the welfare of his fellow soldiers were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.