The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Army Air Forces Award) (Posthumously) to Colonel (Infantry) Augustine Patterson Little, Jr. (ASN: 0-20576), United States Army, for gallantry in action in the European Theater of Operations, Colonel Little distinguished himself by outstanding heroism while leading a reconnaissance party under heavy enemy fire on 27 August 1944. When it became necessary to ascertain the condition of the runways at a newly occupied airfield Colonel Little gallantly elected personally to conduct a reconnaissance although the area was still under enemy fire. While proceeding down the runway the party was subjected to enemy machine-gun fire which wounded an enlisted man. Although every movement attracted additional fire Colonel Little bravely administered first aid to the wounded soldier and attempted to drag him to a nearby hangar although in the course of so doing he himself was mortally wounded. The self-sacrificing courage exhibited by Colonel Little is in keeping with the highest traditions of the Armed Forces of the United States.