A Marine's Story: Private First Class Herbert "Hal" Albert Littleton

 

Private First Class Herbert "Hal" Albert Littleton was born on July 1, 1930, in Mena, Arkansas. He moved with his family to Blackhawk, South Dakota, where he attended Sturgis Brown High School and played basketball and football. Private First Class Hal Littleton enlisted in the US Marine Corps Reserve in July 1948, shortly after his high school graduation, and trained as a telephone man.

While in the reserves, he worked as an appliance repairman in Rapid City, South Dakota, before moving to Napa, Idaho. He worked as a lineman for Mountain States Telephone and Telegraph. Private First Class Herbert Littleton was called to active duty in September 1950 in response to the Korean War.

Private First Class Herbert A. Littleton was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 11th Marines, and deployed to central Korea.

He earned a Congressional Medal of Honor on April 22, 1951. While manning an observation post on Hill 44, Private First Class Herbert A. Littleton and his team came under attack, and a grenade was thrown into the post. After securing the radio,  Private First Class Hal Littleton smothered the grenade with his own body and saved the lives of his teammates.

He rests at the Kohlerlawn Cemetery in Napa, Idaho.

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a.d. elliott is a wanderer, writer, and photographer currently living in Salem, Virginia. 

In addition to her travel writings at www.takethebackroads.com, you can also read her book reviews at www.riteoffancy.com and US military biographies at www.everydaypatriot.com

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