Herbert A. "Hal" Littleton
Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve
Medal of Honor Recipient
Korean War

Herbert A. Littleton was born on 1 July 1930, in Mena, AR. Later, his family moved to Black Hawk, SD. Known as "Hal" to his family, he attended high school in Sturgis, SD, where he played basketball and football. He was employed by Electrical Appliance Corporation, Rapid City, SD, before enlisting in the Marine Corps Reserve on 29 July 1948, for a one-year term. After his service, he moved to Nampa, ID, with his family in 1950 and worked as a lineman for Mountain States Telephone & Telegraph.

After the outbreak of the Korean War, Littleton re-enlisted in the Marine Corps. Following recruit training in San Diego, CA; 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.

Littleton's heroic actions earned him the nation's highest award for valor on 22 April 1951, at Chungehon, when he smothered an enemy grenade with his body. Littleton was the 16th Marine to receive the Medal of Honor in Korea.

Medal of Honor

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

Other Medals

In addition to the Medal of Honor, Littleton was awarded the following:

Purple Heart
Korean Service Medal with 1 Bronze Star
United Nations Service Medal

Honors

In December 2009, the post office in Nampa, ID, was renamed in his honor.

Death and Burial

PFC Herbert A. Littleton was killed in action on 22 April 1951. He is buried at Kohlerlawn Cemetery in Nampa, Canyon County, ID.