The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel Joe Lyle, Jr., United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force in Southeast Asia on 12 November 1969. On that date, Colonel Lyle was the Aircraft Commander of an HH-3E “Jolly Green Giant” rescue helicopter during a heavily opposed rescue of a downed United States Air Force pilot in hostile territory. Three times before, rescue helicopters had attempted to rescue the downed airman, but intense and accurately directed ground fire had forced them to withdraw. With complete disregard for his personal safety, and undeterred by crackling gunfire and ordnance exploding around him, Colonel Lyle persisted courageously and aggressively, and against almost insurmountable odds, rescued the pilot from the midst of the hostile troops which surrounded him. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Colonel Lyle has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.