OFFICIAL Change of Information

PFC Herbert Littleton
USMC/Korea

(Changing Accreditation FROM:  Black Hawk, SD TO:  Nampa, ID)

This change was initiated by Idaho Congressman Frank Church, apparently at the request of Herbert Littleton's parents who were residing in Nampa, Idaho at the time their son entered service, earned the Medal of Honor, and was killed in action in Korea.  The change is duly noted on Department of the Navy letterhead in the following:

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS WASHINGTON, D.C.  20990 DLA-geg 1084704 JAN 15, 1965 Honorable Frank Church United States Senate Washington, D.C. 21510 Dear Senator Church: This is in reply to your inquiry of 8 January concerning the Home of Record of the late Private First Class Herbert A. LITTLETON, who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. Recipients of the Medal of Honor and all other personal decorations are accredited to the state they gave as their legal residence at the time of their first enlistment or commission in the Marine Corps.  This is the policy used by both the Marine Corps and the Navy Department. Since the legal residence of the late Private Littleton at the time of his first enlistment was Black Hawk, South Dakota, he was accredited to that state.  In view of your request, all records will be changed to show Idaho as his legal residence and all information given for future publications or publicity will reflect such change. Due to shortage of funds the Navy has been unable to publish an addendum to the book "Medal of Honor, the Navy" furnishing information concerning Navy and Marine Corps personnel awarded the Medal of Honor for service in Korea.  If such addendum is published in the future, it will show Idaho as the state to which the late Private Littleton is accredited. It has been a pleasure to be of service to you. Sincerely, Colonel Atkinson (A TRUE COPY)

The above letter was forwarded to the Idaho Military Historical Society, which subsequently received the following copy of Senator Church's letter to Herbert Littleton's parents.  The letter was addressed to them at their home in Nampa, and was furnished to the Idaho Military Historical Society by PFC Littleton's sister-in-law.

January 25, 1965 Mr. and Mrs. Paul Littleton 115 Venice Avenue Nampa, Idaho Dear Mr. and Mrs. Littleton: Here is the reply from Marine Corps Headquarters to my inquiry about having Idaho listed as your son's home state.  I hope that this satisfactorily explains his home state being listed as South Dakota, and it appears that all records will be changed to give his residence as Idaho. I've sent a copy of Col. Atkinson's letter to Jerry Swinney, Secretary of the Idaho Historical Society.  This should assure your son's name being listed among other Idaho winners of the Congressional Medal of Honor in their files and publications. If there is anything further I can do to be helpful, please let me know. Sincerely, Frank Church (A TRUE COPY)

(Source):  These documents are in the files of the Idaho Military Historical Society, and were provided to us by
Gayle Alvarez.