The President of the United States
in the name of The Congress
takes pleasure in presenting the
Medal of Honor
to
*LITTLETON, HERBERT A.
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. Accredited To: Nampa,
Id. 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 handgrenade 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.
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