| |
| |
Korean War Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient
Pfc. Herbert A. Littleton, USMC
Marine Private First Class Herbert A. Littleton, 20, of Nampa, Idaho, earned the Medal of Honor in Korea for sacrificing his life to save his comrades.
The nations highest award for valor was earned by PFC Littleton for extraordinary heroism on 22 April 1951, at Chungehon, when he smothered an enemy grenade with his body.
PFC Littleton was the 16th Marine to receive the Medal of Honor for Korean fighting. Born 1 July 1930, at Mena, Arkansas, PFC Littleton was employed by Electrical Appliance Corporation, Rapid City, South Dakota, before enlisting in the Marine Corps 29 July 1948. His family then lived at Black Hawk, South Dakota. He attended high school at Sturgis, South Dakota, where he played basketball and football, and graduated from elementary school in East Port Orchard, Washington.
Following recruit training at San Diego, California, he trained at Camp Pendleton, and went to Korea with the 3d Replacement Draft, fighting in South and Central Korean operations from 17 December 1950 until his death.
His parents are Mr. and Mrs. Paul N. Littleton of Nampa, Idaho.
In addition to the Medal of Honor, PFC Littleton has been awarded the Purple Heart; Korean Service Medal with one Bronze Star; and the United Nations Service Medal.
CITATION:
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, Company C, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein.). Place and date: Chungchon, Korea, 22 April 1951. Entered service at: Blackhawk, S. Dak. Born: 1 July 1930, Mena, Ark. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a radio operator with an artillery forward observation team of Company C, in action against enemy aggressor forces. Standing watch when a well-concealed and numerically superior enemy force launched a violent night attack from nearby positions against his company, Pfc. Littleton quickly alerted the forward observation team and immediately moved into an advantageous position to assist in calling down artillery fire on the hostile force. When an enemy hand grenade was thrown into his vantage point shortly after the arrival of the remainder of the team, he unhesitatingly hurled himself on the deadly missile, absorbing its full, shattering impact in his body. By his prompt action and heroic spirit of self-sacrifice, he saved the other members of his team from serious injury or death and enabled them to carry on the vital mission which culminated in the repulse of the hostile attack. His indomitable valor in the face of almost certain death reflects the highest credit upon Pfc. Littleton and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
 Grave of PFC. Herbert A Littleton at Kohler Lawn Cemetery Nampa ID. location R-388-3-1.
Courtesy of Find A Grave
|
|
|
|
|
Articles & Briefings
