Sgt Walter Singleton USMC Medal of Honor (Posthumously) 42nd Anniversary Memorial Service
I had the great honor yesterday to attend the 42nd Anniversary Memorial Service for USMC Sgt Walter Singleton. The Marine Corps League of Memphis, TN did an excellent job of planning and presenting this memorial service. It was obvious that much thought, work and respect went into all of the details. There were at least 10 or so members of Sgt Singleton's family there as well as Veteran's from WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Grenada, the first Gulf War, Operation Iraq Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom along with many friends and members of the community.
The program below lists the events that took place including the Presenting of the Colors, a 21 gun salute, bag pipes, ringing of the bell, reading of the Medal of Honor Citation, presentation of the Medal of Honor by the family, folding and presentation of the flag and many other ceremonial moments.
Although Sgt Singleton's family was presented his Medal of Honor 42 years ago this ceremony was incredibly (as it should have been) respectful and meaningful. I am happy that I was able to spend a few minutes remembering a man who gave his all for this nation and by doing so saved the lives of many of his comrades on Iwo Jima.
Sgt. Walter K. Singleton
1944-1967
U.S. Marine Corps, Company A, 1st Battalion, 9th Marines, 3d Marine Division. Gio Linh District, Quang Tri Province, Republic of Vietnam, 24 March 1967
42nd Anniversary Memorial Observance
“Medal of Honor”
Viet Nam ~ March 24, 1967
“LEST WE FORGET”
2:00 PM Saturday, March 21, 2009
Bartlett Veterans’ Park
Sgt. Walter K. Singleton, Detachment #476 Marine Corps League Memphis Singleton “Medal of Honor” Citation The President of the United States, in the name of The Congress, takes pride in presenting the “Medal of Honor” posthumously to Sergeant Walter K. Singleton 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. Sgt. Singleton’s company was conducting combat operations when the lead platoon received intense small arms, automatic weapons, rocket, and mortar fire from a well entrenched enemy force. As the company fought its way forward, the extremely heavy enemy fire caused numerous friendly casualties. Sensing the need for early treatment of the wounded, SGT Singleton quickly moved from his relatively safe position in the rear of the foremost point of the advance and made numerous trips through the enemy killing zone to move the injured men out of the danger area. Noting that a large part of the enemy fire was coming from a hedgerow, he seized a machine gun and assaulted the key enemy location, delivering devastating fire as he advanced. He forced his way through the hedgerow directly into the enemy strong point. Although he was mortally wounded, his fearless attack killed 8 of the enemy and drove the remainder from the hedgerow. Sgt. Singleton’s bold actions completely disorganized the enemy defense and saved the lives of many of his comrades. His daring initiative, selfless devotion to duty, and indomitable fighting spirit reflected great credit upon himself and the Marine Corps, and his performance upheld the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. Signed, Lyndon B. Johnson In Memory The name of Walter Keith Singleton is inscribed on the “Vietnam Veterans Memorial” (“The Wall”) on Panel 17E Line 039. A bronze tablet with this citation is in Bartlett Veterans Park, Bartlett, Tennessee Program Master of Ceremonies Viet Nam and Korea Veteran, M/Sgt. Jim Brown, USMC, Ret. Posting of the Colors Singleton Detachment Color Guard National Anthem Gulf War Veteran, Cheryelle Crane, USMC Opening Prayer Gulf War Veteran CWO5 Al Rome USMC Chaplain,. Singleton Detachment Opening Remarks The Honorable Keith McDonald Mayor of Bartlett Introduction of the Veterans Groups Viet Nam Veteran Sgt. Ed Stutler, USMC Introduction of the Singleton Family Viet Nam Veteran, Sgt. Skip Funk Sarah Singleton Calvery and Husband Buddy Charles Singleton Bobby Singleton, and wife Mary Lucy Faye Singleton Harvey and husband Richard Carolyn Singleton Murphy and husband Richard * Introduction of the Speaker: James G. Kern, Commandant Speaker Senator: Dolores Gresham, Lt, Col. USMC Ret. Folding and Presentation of the Flag by Viet Nam Veterans MGySgt Milton Casey USMC Ret. GySgt. Harry Graham, USMC Ret. with recitation by Msgt. James Brown, USMC Ret Reading of the Medal of Honor Citation Viet Nam Veteran, Sgt. Tony Dorris USMC Presentation of the “Medal of Honor” by Viet Nam Veterans MGySgt. Milton Casey, USMC Ret. and GySgt Harrison Graham, USMC Ret. and Maj. Joe Sturtevant, USMC Ret. Twenty One Gun Salute : Singleton Detachment Honor Guard Marine, Capt. Cliff Gorham, USMC, Officer in Charge Taps World War II Veteran, Pvt. Michael Zingale, USMC “Laying of the Wreath” Singleton Family and Viet Nam Veterans The Closing Prayer CWO5 Al Rome, USMC Ret., Chaplin Retiring of the Colors Singleton Detachment Color Guard THE MARINES’ HYMN From the Halls of Montezuma, To the shores of Tripoli, We will fight our country's battles In the air, on land and sea. First to fight for right and freedom And to keep our honor clean; We are proud to claim the title of UNITED STATES MARINES
From Wikipedia:
A complete list of his medals and decorations includes: the Medal of Honor, the Purple Heart, the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnamese Service Medal with one bronze star, the Vietnamese Military Merit Medal, the Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with Palm, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
Comments
Thank you for introducing us to Sgt Walter Singleton, someone we would have otherwise never have known....You put together a beautiful tribute here on your blog.............Thank you Sgt. Singleton and Family, We Will Never Forget
Thank you so much for this posting.