The Wordsmith's Forge

And his health.

I think she was excited that he got actionable intel while completing an extraction. Trained people hash that often as not.

The Howling Commandos are a better use than the intended infantry of Supersoldiers and it works because he's fit enough and wily enough.

Tony takes awhile to figure out Steve too is a learning 'machine'. Howard was a little selective in what he noticed and recounted.