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The President of the United States in the name of The
Congress takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to:
PRIVATE FIRST CLASS HERBERT A. LITTLETON
UNITED STATES
MARINE CORPS
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 near-by 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 their
pulse 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.
HARRY S. TRUMAN
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