PRIVATE FIRST CLASS
HERBERT A. LITTLETON, USMC (DECEASED) 

 

Medal of Honor Citation 

Private First Class Herbert A. Littleton, 20, of Nampa, Idaho, earned the Medal of Honor in Korea for sacrificing his life to save his comrades. 

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.

Born 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, and graduated from elementary school in East Port Orchard, Washington. 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 3d Replacement Draft, fighting in South and Central Korean operations from 17 December 1950 until his death.

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.

Korean War Medal of Honor