Herbert A. Littleton

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Herbert A. Littleton
July 1, 1930 - April 22, 1951
Herbert Littleton, Medal of Honor recipient
Place of birth	Mena, Arkansas
Place of death	KIA in Chungehon, Korea
Allegiance	USMC
Years of service	1948=1951
Rank	Private First Class
Unit	1st Battalion 7th Marines
Battles/wars	Korean War
Awards	Medal of Honor (1951) Purple Heart

United States Marine Corps Portal

Private First Class Herbert A. Littleton (1930-1951) was a United States Marine who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for sacrificing his life to save his comrades during the Korean War.

Littleton was born on 1 July 1930, in Mena, Arkansas. His family then lived in Black Hawk, South Dakota. He attended high school in Sturgis, South Dakota, where he played basketball and football. He was employed by Electrical Appliance Corporation, Rapid City, South Dakota, before enlisting in the Marine Corps Reserve on 29 July 1948.

Following recruit training in San Diego, California, he trained at Camp Pendleton, and went to Korea with the 3rd Replacement Draft, fighting in South and Central Korean operations from 17 December 1950 until his death.

The nation’s 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 heroism in Korea.

In addition to the Medal of Honor, PFC Littleton was awarded the Purple Heart; Korean Service Medal with one bronze star; and the United Nations Service Medal.

[edit] Medal of Honor citation

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to

PRIVATE FIRST CLASS HERBERT A. LITTLETON
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS RESERVE

for service as set forth in the following 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, First Battalion, Seventh Marines, First Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 22 April 1951. Standing watch when a well-concealed and numerically superior enemy force launched a violent night attack from nearby positions against his company, Private First Class 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 own 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 Private First Class Littleton and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

/S/ HARRY S. TRUMAN