Colonel Robert F. Litle's remarkable contributions to Army Aviation in peace and war over a span of more than 24 years clearly distinguish him as a tru pioneer in the advancement of air-ground tactics, technicues, and technology.

In the early 1950's his conduct of experimental helicopter flights under adverse weather conditions was a major factor in proving the feasibility of instrumental helicopter operations and in determining the basic instrument configuration for Army helicopters.

During 1963 - 1966, while in a key command role with the 11th Air Assault Division, he organized, trained and tested the only attack airplane battalion in the history of Army Aviation. Later, he served with distinction in airmobile combat in Vietnam as Executive Officer of an aviation group and as a commander of an airmobile infantry battalion.

From 1971 to 1973, as a principal Director of Project MASSTER at Fort Hood, he planned and evaluated with marked success many crucial field tests of major Army units employing aircraft in mid-intensity combat, including the TRICAP Division, Air Cavalry Combat Brigade, and the Air Defense Suppression System.

Colonel Litle's extraordinary vision and versatility were indeed in the highest tradition of Army Aviation.