Walter K. Singleton

[Vulture6]

WALTER K. SINGLETON
SERGEANT, USMC

Walter K. Singleton, who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism in Vietnam in March 1967, was born 7 December 1944, in Memphis, Tennessee, and graduated from Bartlett High School there in June 1963.

On 1 August 1963, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve at Memphis and integrated into the Regular Marine Corps the following September.

Ordered to the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina, he completed recruit training with the 3d Recruit Training Battalion in February 1964. Upon completion of recruit training, he was promoted to private first class.
Transferred to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, he was assigned duty as ammo-carrier with Company E, 2d Battalion, 6th Marines, 2d Marine Division until November 1965. While stationed at Camp Lejeune, he was promoted to lance corporal 1 October 1964 and to corporal 1 August 1965.

Corporal Singleton returned to the Marine Corps Recruit Depot at Parris Island and served as an instructor with the Weapons Training Battalion, Recruit Training Regiment, with the additional duty of training marksmanship to Midshipmen at the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland. While performing this additional duty, he received a letter of appreciation for qualifying 100 percent of the Officers-to-be.

Prior to departure from the United States, Corporal Singleton was promoted to sergeant 1 September 1966. On 13 November he joined Company A, 1st Battalion, 9th Marines, 3d Marine Division in the Republic of Vietnam and served as supply sergeant with that unit. He was mortally wounded on 24 March 1967.

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.

Sergeant Singleton was survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. George P. Singleton of Memphis, Tennessee, two brothers and three sisters.

Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps, Company A, 1st Battalion, 9th Marines, 3d Marine Division.

Place and date: Gio Linh District, Quang Tri Province, Republic of Vietnam, 24 March 1967.

Entered service at: Memphis, Tenn.

Born: 7 December 1944, Memphis, Tenn.

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 machinegun 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.