The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant (Infantry) William Francis Little, III, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Company E, 2d Battalion, 3d Infantry, 199th Infantry Brigade. First Lieutenant Little distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous action on 11 November 1969 while serving as platoon leader during a reconnaissance operation southwest of Xuan Loc. After his point element discovered signs of recent enemy activity and three well-concealed enemy bunkers, Lieutenant Little started moving the rest of his platoon forward to the point element. Suddenly a concealed enemy force opened fire with small arms and automatic weapons, Lieutenant Little moved forward through the intense enemy fire to pinpoint the hostile positions. He then called in artillery and gunship support and remained in an exposed position to adjust the supporting fire. During a lull in enemy fire, Lieutenant Little and one of his men began to flank the enemy positions. When he suddenly saw an enemy soldier aiming at his companion Lieutenant Little pushed the unwary soldier to the ground and, in doing so, was seriously wounded. As Lieutenant Little fell to the ground, he fired his weapon and killed the enemy soldier. Almost immediately, Lieutenant Little was subjected to a burst of hostile fire and was mortally wounded. First Lieutenant Little’s actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.