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 Sergeant First Class Bill E. Steele (ASN: RA-28112628), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force on 24 November 1968 while serving with Troop L, 3d Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date while conducting a reconnaissance operation in dense jungle, the troop was suddenly subject to intense small arms and automatic weapons fire from a well-fortified enemy force. A friendly soldier who was seriously wounded in the initial burst of fire was pinned down only fifteen meters from a well-concealed and heavily fortified enemy position. Realizing his men would endanger the wounded man’s life if the placed fire on the enemy position, Sergeant Steele began crawling toward the casualty. Ignoring the heavy enemy fire directed at him, Sergeant Steele sprayed the enemy bunker with devastating rifle fire, pinning the enemy soldiers down long enough for the casualty to be evacuated. Sergeant First Class Steel’s courage and concern for the life and welfare of his comrade were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.