Lecture series carries on hero's memory

[Vulture6]

I had the pleasure of knowing Sgt. Singleton's family (his parents and his brother Bobby) when I lived in Memphis. He was a great American and his family would welcome any Marine into their home as one of their own. It's good to see his memory carried on.



Lecture series carries on hero's memory
Submitted by: MCB Quantico
Story Identification #: 200493083335
Story by Cpl. Susan Moyer

“Rarely does a man possess the indomitable courage, the exceptional faith, and the commitment that Sergeant Singleton demonstrated,” said Paul R. Ignatius, former secretary of the Navy, at the posthumous Medal of Honor presentation to Sgt. Walter K. Singleton Sept. 4, 1968. Photo by: Offical USMC photo


MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va (Sept. 28, 2004) -- “Rarely does a man possess the indomitable courage, the exceptional faith, and the commitment that Sergeant Singleton demonstrated,” said Paul R. Ignatius, former secretary of the Navy, at the posthumous Medal of Honor presentation to Sgt. Walter K. Singleton Sept. 4, 1968.

Singleton left the Marine Corps’ ranks long ago, but his memory thrives in today’s Marine Corps because of the Sgt. Walter K. Singleton Distinguished Lecture Series, sponsored by the Singleton Detachment of the Marine Corps League,; and the Marine Corps University Foundation.

Students and staff from the Staff Noncommissioned Officer Academy filled the auditorium seats at the Gray Research Center to listen to the speaker at this year’s lecture Sept. 22.

Retired Sgt. Maj. Lonnie R. Sanders spoke to the crowd about leadership and its importance among the Corps’ senior Marines.

“There is no such thing as a natural-born leader,” said Sanders. “Leaders are made, taught, trained, and constantly tuned.”

Training to become an effective Marine Corps leader begins as soon as civilians transition into recruits at boot camp, he said.

“You learn from every leader, good and bad,” he said. “It’s up to you to decide which traits you want to take with you and which ones you want to leave behind.”

Medal of Honor recipients like Singleton undoubtedly portrayed those traits and principles that each Marine should work to emulate, said Sanders.

Singleton’s last tour of duty was with Company A, 1st bn., 9th Marines, 3rd Marine Division, were he served as supply sergeant.

While Singleton and his unit were conducting combat operations in Gio Linh District, Quang Tri Province, Republic of Vietnam, an entrenched enemy force opened intense small arms, automatic weapon, rocket and mortar fire on the lead platoon.

“Sensing the need for early treatment of the wounded, Sergeant Singleton quickly moved from his relatively safe position in the rear to the foremost point of advance and made numerous trips through the enemy killing zone to move the injured men out of the danger area,” reads Singleton’s Medal of Honor citation.

While moving the wounded Marines to safety, Singleton noticed the majority of the enemy’s fire was coming from a hedgerow.

“Singleton picked up a machine gun and charged forward, firing as he ran,” said Sgt. Earle D. Johnson in the original United States Marine Corps news release. “He forced his way through the hedgerow and jumped right in the middle of a North Vietnamese Army Squad, killing at least eight of them before he was hit.”

Singleton was mortally wounded, but his actions completely confused the enemy and saved the lives of many of his brothers-in-arms.

“The memory of his gallant sacrifice, his courage and his selflessness, is an inspiration to his family, to the United States Marine Corps, and to Americans everywhere,” said Ignatius.

The lectures have been conducted since 1999, and according to family members, help keep Singleton’s memory alive.

“Thanks to these lectures, my brother is still reaching Marines who otherwise wouldn’t know about him or what he did for this country,” said Carolyn Murphy, Singleton’s sister. “He was a good leader who can never be forgotten.”

Singleton selflessly gave this ultimate sacrifice, and proved to be a true leader for past, present and future Marines to follow, said Murphy.

“A true leader is prepared to lay down his life,” said Sanders.