Walter J. Littleton
Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army

On 12 October 1944, Staff Sergeant Walter J. Littleton was serving with the Headquarters & Service Troop, 125th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron, 113th Cavalry Group, XIX Corps, Ninth U.S. Army.

On that day, SSG Littleton’s unit was in action against German forces at Hoogveld, Netherlands. SSG Littleton’s courageous actions and extraordinary heroism that day earned him, at the cost of his life, the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Purple Heart
Army Good Conduct Medal
American Defense Service Medal
American Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with Arrowhead Pin and 3 Bronze Stars
World War II Victory Medal

Distinguished Service Cross Citation (Synopsis)

Staff Sergeant Walter J. Littleton (ASN: 33071141), United States Army, was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with the 125th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron, in action against enemy forces on 12 October 1944. Staff Sergeant Littleton's intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty at the cost of his life, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

Headquarters, Ninth U.S. Army, General Orders No. 4 (1945)

Burial

Staff Sergeant Walter J. Littleton is buried at the Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery and Memorial in Henri-Chapelle, Arrondissement de Verviers, Liège, Belgium in Plot E, Row 7, Grave 66.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56283156/walter-j-littleton