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 (Field Artillery) Richard L. Little (ASN: O-5425752), United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty in the Republic of Vietnam on 4 August 1968. First Lieutenant Little distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions while serving as pilot of the lead UH-1D helicopter conducting combat assault operations near Tan Tru. In the final approach to a landing zone, his ship, loaded with combat infantry personnel, was engulfed by murderous enemy fire from the landing zone, tearing into several of the persons aboard the aircraft. Lieutenant Little, wounded with an enemy bullet through his leg and in extreme pain, maintained control of the aircraft and continued his approach to the perilous landing zone. While on the ground, he was again struck by the intense fire, inflicting wounds in his neck, right leg and right arm. Despite this, he continued to monitor the gauges, and assist the aircraft commander in flying the crippled aircraft out of the landing zone. Upon noticing that they had lost their transmission oil pressure, he immediately advised the aircraft commander to fly as low as possible and set a heading for Tan Tru, which was approximately three minutes away. On three different occasions, the dazed aircraft commander made radical changes of course, and Lieutenant Little had to take control of the ship. His outstanding leadership and sound judgment instilled a claming effect on all personnel on board the ship, and enabled him to fly the laden aircraft the entire flight until the transmission froze on approach into a landing zone at Tan Tru. His 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.