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<p><em>William Francis “Bill” Little III</em> was born on November 23, 1946 in Rahway, NJ. His father was an attorney, who served with the 20th Armored Division in World War II, earning the rank of captain and a Bronze Star. Sadly, his mother, who was from Mississippi and had been an Army nurse, died when Bill was 14. He attended the Pingry School, where he excelled on the swimming team and had many great friends. In 1962, his father remarried, and the new Little family moved to Mountainside, NJ. His sister, Alison, was born the week Bill entered West Point. From the perspective of his cousin, as a teenager Bill projected leadership, compassion, loyalty, and humor. He loved his little sister, his Mississippi relatives, his dog (“Peppy”), the Jersey Shore, and his white 1968 Corvette Stingray, his West Point graduation reward. </p>
<p>At West Point Bill demonstrated that he wanted to be an Army officer. Athletics were a strong suit: Mountaineering Club, skiing, and parachuting. (He spent a cadet summer leave attending the Army’s Airborne School.) He participated in triathlon and was the best on the Company F-1 team. Academically, Bill excelled in Russian, tutoring others who needed help.</p>
<p>Upon graduation he entered the Infantry, his chosen branch. After officer basic and Ranger School, Bill was assigned to Fort Campbell, KY for a few months. Second Lieutenant Bill Little arrived in South Vietnam on May 13, 1969. Assigned to 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment, 199th Light Infantry Brigade, Bill was promoted to first lieutenant on June 5th. He asked to lead the battalion’s recon platoon, the independent command he wanted, but was first made a platoon leader in a line company to obtain jungle operations experience. Bill proved himself quickly and was assigned as the recon platoon leader in October 1969. The recon platoon operated from the battalion’s rear area at Fire Support Base Blackhorse, near the town of Xuân Lộc. </p>
<p>As recounted by a recon platoon soldier, when the platoon was on Blackhorse, First Lieutenant Little sat with his soldiers at mealtime. The soldier said “he was solid, at ease with himself, friendly, good natured, but in command. His leadership was smooth, flawless and beyond question; he had the utmost respect of his men, there was an easy relationship between LT Little and the men of recon.”</p>
<p>Bill’s final mission began on November 10, 1969. Helicopters moved recon from Blackhorse to their mission landing zone following a heavy “prep” by Cobra gunships. Bill’s platoon was a bit understrength with only 17 soldiers. Their mission was to locate the enemy, fix him in a position, and call for reinforcements. By the morning of November 11, recon had moved deeper into the jungle, and by the early afternoon engaged a unit of the North Vietnamese Army. </p>
<p>Taking enemy fire, recon returned fire and formed a defensive position. Lieutenant Little directed heavy fire from artillery and gunships onto the enemy. Recon was so close to the enemy, shrapnel crashed through overhead trees, dropping amongst recon. Unlike many other enemy encounters, this time the enemy did not run from the fight; they stayed, protected by a large complex of 74 bunkers. On two occasions Bill paused U.S. fire for medevac choppers to lower a cable harness through the jungle and extract wounded soldiers. </p>
<p>A recon soldier heard Lieutenant Little say, “It’s time for the infantry to make a move.” Bill told his troops to hold fire, and he and one other soldier moved to flank the enemy bunkers. According to the citation for his Distinguished Service Cross: “He suddenly saw an enemy soldier aiming at his companion. Lieutenant Little pushed the unaware soldier to the ground and, in doing so, was seriously wounded. As Lieutenant Little fell to the ground, he fired his weapon and killed the enemy soldier. Almost immediately, Lieutenant Little was subjected to a burst of hostile fire and was mortally wounded.” Bill gave his life for his country while 33 enemy soldiers gave their lives for their country. </p>
<p>William F. Little III died on Veterans Day, November 11, 1969, 12 days before his 23rd birthday. In his short life he led men courageously in combat, distinguishing himself as a hero. Bill’s contribution to our nation and its Army is recorded in perpetuity in his DSC citation and on Panel 16W, Line 58 of the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington, DC. His tombstone in the West Point Cemetery serves today as an inspiration to cadets. Further, Bill left half of his estate to West Point to establish a trophy to be presented each year at graduation to the captain of the Cadet Ski Team.</p>
<p>In 2018, his classmates from Pingry, Bill’s prep school, honored Bill by dedicating a classroom named in his memory. Additionally, his hometown recognized Bill by naming a city street in his honor. His West Point classmates honored him as well with a commemorative paver at the National Infantry Museum and at the National Museum of the U.S. Army.</p>
<p>His platoon members, comrades and battalion commander have written and spoken respectfully about him. In a book by an officer serving with him, Bill is called “an elite soldier.” In a letter to his parents, it was noted that “several members of the recon platoon wept openly following Bill’s death.” </p>
<p>A poem written by Pat O’Regan, recon platoon member, commemorates his leadership:</p>
<p><em>So, at last, we could leave.</em><br /><em>All the years don’t matter, Sir—I’m still so proud</em><br /><em>To have served under such an officer.</em><br /><em>Hand salute—Lt. Little. God speed, Sir. </em><br /><em>See you soon. </em></p>
<p><em>— His classmates, family and friends</em></p>
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