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 the Silver Star to Warrant Officer One (WO-1) Steven C. Little, United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force on 18 April 1969 while serving as a helicopter pilot with the Air Cavalry Troop, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date while engaged with an enemy force, element of the regiment sustained several casualties during the fierce fighting. Efforts to evacuate the wounded were soon brought to a halt by intense hostile antiaircraft and round fire, by the tall trees that covered the contact area and by a grass and woods fire raging in the area of the landing zone. Realizing that the wounded soldiers required immediate medical attention, Warrant Officer Little volunteered to attempt to land and pick up the most seriously wounded men. Disregarding the enemy fusillade and the smoke which had engulfed the landing zone, he set his aircraft down and had the casualties loaded on board. In spite of the necessarily heavy load and the irritating smoke, he succeeded in flying the helicopter out of the dangerously small landing zone. Although he was soon overcome by the smoke and was forced to relinquish the controls of the aircraft to his co-pilot, his heroic action was instrumental in saving the lives of three friendly soldiers. Warrant Officer Little’s courage and deep concern for the welfare of his fellow soldiers were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.