The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Christopher James Needels (ASN: OF-104930), United States Army, for gallantry In action against a hostile force, on 11 December 1966. On this date, First Lieutenant Needels distinguished himself by exceptionally heroic actions while serving as Aide-de-Camp to the Assistant Division Commander of the 1st Infantry Division. He was accompanying the general in a routine flight near War Zone C when a message was received that an infantry platoon had made contact with a large Viet Cong force in Tay Ninh Province and had suffered numerous casualties. They immediately proceeded to the beleaguered patrol’s location. As the aircraft approached the area, it began receiving intense hostile small arms and automatic weapons fire. First Lieutenant Needels calmly returned the fire from the door of the helicopter and at the same time scanned the ground beneath him for the platoon’s position. After passing the area several times, the friendly element was located and the helicopter landed in its midst. First Lieutenant Needels courageously ran through sporadic Viet Cong fire to the site where the wounded lay. As only two members of the patrol remained uninjured, First Lieutenant Needels immediately took charge of the situation. He gave his only weapon to one of the infantryman and instructed a passenger in the helicopter to assist the two infantrymen in providing security. Although unarmed and completely exposed to the insurgent fire, First Lieutenant Needels grabbed a medical aidman’s kit and began dressing the wounds of the injured. Meanwhile he quickly determined which of the soldiers were in most urgent need of medical care. After carrying these men to the nearest landing zone, he directed their evacuation by helicopter. Again he returned to the battle site and while hostile fire was still raking the area, he administered morphine, bandaged wounds, and gave comfort to the injured soldiers while they waited for more helicopters to arrive. For over two hours First Lieutenant Needels continued to expose himself to the hostile fire as he gave first aid and directed the evacuation of the wounded. As a direct result of First Lieutenant Needels’ calm, professional actions and extraordinary gallantry under the most adverse of conditions, the lives of ten seriously wounded soldiers were saved. First Lieutenant Needels unquestionable valor in close combat against numerically superior hostile forces is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 1st Infantry Division, and the United States Army.