On the First of April 1951, units of the 148^th Field Artillery Battalion {FAB} (155mm, Towed), Idaho Army National Guard, were notified that they would be mobilized for Active Federal Service effective 1 May 1951. The mobilization would be in support of the Korean Conflict and the duration of the call up would be for twenty-one (21) months. Upon mobilization, the units would proceed to Camp Carson, Colorado for six to eight weeks of intensive basic training. (Camp Carson later became Fort Carson.)

The “Battalion Headquarters” was located at Coeur d'Alene, Idaho and commanded by MAJ William (Bill) Hebert. “Headquarters Battery”, commanded by CPT Ed Iddings and “Battery A”, commanded by CPT Pete Carr were also located in Coeur d'Alene. “Battery B” was located in Moscow and was commanded by CPT Robert Adams. “Battery C” was located in Lewiston and commanded by CPT Gordon I. Shore. “Service Battery” was located in Osburn, Idaho and commanded by 1LT Frank Sullivan.

Sgt. Merle Wilkerson, left, and Cpl. Earl Hall pack long-handled shovels as they prepare to leave for Camp Carson Colo., and a 21-month tour of active duty. Guardsmen entered federal service yesterday.[i]

On the On 1 May 1951, all units of the 148^th FAB were ordered to Active Federal Service and mobilized at their home stations to prepare for rail movement to Camp Carson. Howitzers, Prime Movers and Trucks were loaded aboard railroad flatcars and all other unit equipment was loaded in boxcars.

On May 6, 1951, hundreds of Lewiston residents gathered to bid farewell to Battery C. At Coeur d’Alene more than a thousand people observed the Guard’s departure, while at Moscow over 500 townspeople attended the gathering for Battery B.[ii]

Don Scholes lifts Barbara Sidwell up to a troop-train so she could bid a last-minute farewell to Franklin Silverson, a member of the Lewiston unit of the 148^th Field Artillery.[iii]

After the parades and family farewells, members of the units boarded passenger cars at their home stations and proceeded to Ayer Junction in Washington State where they were formed into a troop train for the continued trip to Camp Carson, Colorado arriving on 8 May 1951.

Upon arrival at Camp Carson, the “Twenty Fifth Army Band” from The Idaho Army National Guard, which had been mobilized previously, greeted the Battalion. The band played “Here We Have Idaho” as the train arrived. The rest of the arrival was not quite as enjoyable. Camp Carson was not ready for the Battalion’s arrival. Barracks were not prepared. There was a shortage of beds, blankets and other field equipment needed for basic training. Their first meal was served outside during a sandstorm. It took several days to get the Battalion into permanent quarters and properly outfitted.

Also mobilized and sent to Camp Carson was the 147^th FAB from the South Dakota Army National Guard, sister unit to the 148^th. Both units became part of the Fortieth Field Artillery Group commanded by COL Edward Strohbein.

Soon after the units arrived at Camp Carson, President Truman signed an involuntary extension of the order to Active Federal Service from 21 months to 33 months. This became known as “The Truman Year”. The “Truman Year” was later rescinded.

Since many of the National Guard members had had no Basic Military Training, both the 147^th and the 148^th had to complete Military Basic prior to training as Artillery Units. Since the units were not at full strength, filler personnel were assigned. Most of these fillers were draftees who had just returned from assignments in Korea and were not pleased to be taking Basic Training again. This training was completed on or about 30 June 1951.

It has always been customary for National Guard units ordered to Federal Service be trained and deployed as units. However, the law at that time only required that units be kept in tact for a total of four months.

Senator Dworshak, Idaho state officials, and 148th members tried to retain battalion integrity, but Gen A. Lawton Collins, Army Chief of Staff, believed that allowing the 148th to remain together would discriminate against other units which had been separated. General Collins also argued that continued consolidation of the 148^th would cause a "drastic slowdown in rotation from Korea,” for troops “who endured the bitter combat in Korea” the previous winter.[iv] General Collins prevailed and after the four-month period had passed, members of the 148^th FAB were levied out as individual soldiers and reassigned as the needs dictated. Many soldiers were sent to Korea and performed with distinction. No Idaho members were killed in Korea. There were some wounded as a result of hostile actions and at least one soldier, a member of C Battery from Lewiston, was captured and remained a Prisoner of War for several months. Other members were sent to units in Germany, Italy, France and Panama and to other locations within the United States. Some members spent their entire tour of duty at Camp Carson.

Members of the 148^th FAB at Camp Carson Colorado[v]

There were many memorable events that occurred at Camp Carson while the Battalion was in training but one of the most memorable was the units participation in the filming of the movie, “One Minute to Zero” with Robert Mitchum. The movie was a depiction of events going on in Korea at the time. Since the terrain around Camp Carson closely resembled that of the hills of Korea, some of the filming was done there. A small Korean village was built and during the filming, the 148^th FAB moved through the village with their trucks and howitzers.

Although the Battalion Colors were to remain on Active Duty for several more years, in August of 1953, the 148^th FAB was returned to The Idaho Army National Guard and reorganized from its configuration prior to mobilization. Because the Colors were still on Active Duty, the organization was designated “148^th Field Artillery Battalion (155mm Towed) (ARNGUS)”. “Headquarters and Headquarters Battery” were relocated to Lewiston. “C” Battery remained in Lewiston, “B” Battery in Moscow and “A” Battery in Coeur d'Alene. Service Battery was relocated to Orofino.

Many members who had deployed with the unit in 1951 elected not to return to National Guard status. Intensive recruiting efforts were required to gain sufficient membership for the units to receive Federal Recognition.

Several reorganizations have occurred over the years but the 148^this still an active part of the Idaho Army National Guard. Units comprising the 148^th are:

Headquarters Battery, 1-148th Artillery is located in Pocatello.
Service Battery, 1-148th Artillery located in Idaho Falls.
C Battery, 1-148th Artillery located in Rexburg and St. Anthony.
A Battery, 1-148th Artillery located in Blackfoot and Preston.

A special thank you to BG(Ret) Shore, COL(Ret) Sullivan, CW4(Ret) Taylor and especially CSM(Ret) Pedersen for making this article possible. ó

President's Message

I would like to thank everyone who sponsored and worked on presenting the Volunteer Appreciation Dinner held on February 15, 2002. We had a wonderful attendance by volunteers who have so graciously given to the museum efforts in the past year. We do not often have the opportunity to gather in such a large group, so it was nice to socialize in that way.

The Idaho Military Historical Society Board is continuing in its efforts to raise funds in order to meet its goals for projects and improvements around the museum. We are looking forward to once again offering our Breakfasts at the Gowen Field Officer's Club on National Guard drill weekends in the near future. We are discussing other fund-raising options, and would welcome your suggestions and involvement. If you have an idea to share, please call me at 422-4210 during office hours, or Bob Benbough during museum hours at 422-4841.

If you have not visited the museum recently, remember that our displays change from time to time and we'd just like to have the opportunity to visit with you again. I hope to see you soon at one of the museum activities. - Dawana Edwards

Executive Director

I'd like to remind everybody that there's always something new going on at the Museum. If you haven't stopped by in a while, I'd like to invite you to come by for a cup of coffee and tour.

In the December 2001 issue of Pass In Review, I talked about our lagging finances and a shortage of volunteers to keep our operations going as planned. The good news is that we can once again hold fundraising breakfasts at the Gowen Field Officer’s Club! At this point, we have July 13&14 and August 3&4 reserved. I am also negotiating for May 4&5 as well as November 2&3. If we have plenty of help and do a good job of getting the word out, we may be able to make up our Special Projects $8000 shortfall.

The bad news is regarding our urgent request for more volunteers. Only three people responded with offers to help. As a result, we were forced to postpone our scheduled March/April Auction until more members and volunteers can help with our fund raising efforts.

On a happier note, Doug Doehle, one of our regular weekly volunteers, just completed a very nice display of State National Guard Headquarters insignia and within the next month will have a display of over 500 unit Distinctive Insignia available for public viewing.

Also in the last couple of weeks, we received a donation of over 80 model aircraft, trucks and jeeps for our collection. The donor Mrs. Alice Daly made the donation in honor of her recently deceased husband John, a former Marine, who built the models over his lifetime.

We also have two other new exhibits. One is our very recently restored M38A1 (1954) Willys Jeep. The other, pictured here, is a collection of items (Used by Idahoans) from the Spanish American War on loan from the Center for Arts and History, Lewis-Clark State College. Come see our new exhibits and get involved; we need your help! - Bob Benbough

VOLUNTEER OF THE QUARTER

Please meet Marie Crandall

Marie joined the IMHS in January 2000 shortly after spearheading the development of our first annual Pearl Harbor exhibit, which turned into a well attended and widely publicized event.

Many of the items on display were from her late husband John’s collection of memorabilia as a Pearl Harbor Survivor. She also contacted other members of the Pearl Harbor Survivors organization, some of whom also joined the IMHS, and they too donated items for the exhibit.

Marie volunteers her Wednesdays at the Museum. She helps Docent and greets visitors and when she isn’t busy doing that, she pitches in where ever she is needed to help keep the Museum in ‘Ship Shape’ condition.

Marie also lends a hand at breakfast fundraisers and open houses, wearing whichever 'hat' is most needed at the moment.

Thank you marie, We Truly Appreciate Everything You Do For Us; You’re The Tops!

NEW MEMBERS

Special Welcome to:

O Boyd Pedersen

O Gerald Scholten

O Jess Johnson & Class (American Falls High School)

óóóóó

Museum Hosts Bataan Death March Survivor

On January 29, 2002, the IMHS hosted Mr. Bill Braye, a survivor of the Bataan Death March and 3 years as a POW.

Over 100 people, many of whom were high school students, listened as he recounted some of his experiences. They included a list of ‘Regulations for Prisoners’, which spelled out the penalties for disobedience to the Japanese Guards. He described how he was ‘volunteered’ to be the First Sergeant. As it turned out, whenever one of his subordinates committed an infraction, both he and the subordinate were punished. Because of his experiences, he was summoned to testify at the war crimes trials after the war.

Following his presentation, WWII Era refreshments, made by members and volunteers, from recipes prevalent during the sugar rationing days of WWII were served. Visitors learned and tasted how the Home Front's 'Kitchen Commandos' dealt with sugar rationing. We received many compliments on the Museum, Mr. Braye’s presentation and the desserts. Thank you to all who helped make the event a success!ó

Upcoming Events

April 12, Idaho History Day. (At BSU) Idaho History Day 2002 is on April 12^th. This year's Theme is: "Revolution, Reaction, Reform in History". As part of our Educational Outreach Program, the IMHS is a co-sponsor. If you are interested in helping judge the Idaho Military History Category, give us a call.

July 13-14 and August 3-4. Fundraising Breakfast at the Officers Club. Tell your friends to mark their calendars too! Great food, great company, great fundraising opportunity! ó

An Endowment Update

The Society is growing rapidly but to sustain its growth and continue to meets its goals, it will be necessary to increase and stabilize a strong financial base.

Our Vision: To provide endowment and capital funds to create a financial base which will ensure the preservation of Idaho's military heritage for future generations.

Our Goal: An endowment of $500,000.

Where Are We At Now? Our current endowment balance is just over $24,000.

This endowment will allow us to operate the museum with one full-time staff member and provide adequate funds for development and enhancement of our exhibits, Reference Library, and Educational Outreach programs.

On May 25, 1999, the IRS granted the IMHS permanent 501(c)(3), Non-Profit, tax-exempt status. This means that donations to the endowment are tax deductible.

Donations can be made to the endowment in memorial to an individual, as part of your estate planning, as part of your charitable contributions for tax purposes, to offer a few suggestions.

Recent Endowment Donors include:

      Gowen Field Officer’s Ladies Club
      Pearl Harbor Survivors Assn
      Boise Bridge Club
      Gayle Alvarez
      Robert & Kay Benbough
      Mr. Loren Call
      Mr. & Mrs. Joe Icenhower
      Art & Mary Cozine
      Joe & Cynthia Strader

Please consider making a donation to our Endowment and tell your friends and relatives who may be thinking of their estates or are looking for ways to make tax deductible donations.

If you would like a form, there is one on the back on this newsletter and there is also one you can download on our website. If you desire to remain anonymous, we will honor your request.

Contact any Board member and we will help you plan a gift to the IMHS’ Endowment Fund. ó

Update

An update to last months Most Wanted. We requested 3 Planchet Press Publications. A very special thank you goes out to Charles McDowell of FoxFall Publications. His company not only donated the 3 Publications we requested but several others as well which made valuable additions to our Reference Library. Thank you Charles and FoxFall Publications, we sincerely appreciate your generous donation. ó

Korea Today

Courtesy of our own roving photographer, Rachel Smythe, a current photo from Korea.

War Memorial Museum in Seoul stands where the Korean military command headquarters was located.

Idaho File Into History

Herbert A Littleton

Rank and organization: Private First Class, Company C, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division
Place and date: Chungchon, Korea, 22 April 1951
Entered service at: Nampa Idaho
Born: Mena, Polk County, Arkansas, 1 July 1930

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, in action against enemy aggressor forces. Standing watch when a well-concealed and numerically superior enemy force launched a violent night attack from nearby positions against his company, Pfc. 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 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 the repulse of the hostile attack. His indomitable valor in the face of almost certain death reflects the highest credit upon Pfc. Littleton and the U .S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country. ^{End of Citation}

"He saved my life, he saved his radio, and he saved Charley Company."

Herbert A Littleton was born July 1, 1930 in Mena, Arkansas to Paul N. and Maude (Lillian) Littleton. In 1931 the family moved to Spearfish South Dakota and when World War II began, the family moved to Port Orchard, Washington, to work in the shipyards.

Herbert attended elementary school in East Port Orchard. The family later moved back to South Dakota where Herbert attended school in Sturgis and played both basketball and football. Later, he accepted a job at Electrical Appliance Company in Rapid City, South Dakota and enlisted in the Marine Corps on July 29, 1948, shortly after his 18^th birthday. He enlisted for one year under the Selective Service act in force at the time and was the first marine in the Black Hills area to do so. He was Honorably Discharged on 28 July 1949.

He had blond hair and blue eyes. He had previously dropped out of high school but after his one year in the service, he joined the reserves and earned his high school diploma. After his discharge, the family moved to Nampa Idaho and in June 1950, Herbert accepted a job at Mountain States Telephone & Telegraph as a lineman.

The family had only been in Idaho a short time when the Korean Conflict began. Herbert's father encouraged him to join the Navy but Herbert's reply was "Once a Marine, always a Marine." On 15 September 1950, Herbert was assigned to extended active duty. After completing Radio Training at Camp Pendleton, California, Herbert shipped out to Korea with the Third Replacement Draft in December 1950. He began serving in South and Central Korean Operations on December 17, 1950. Before he shipped out, Hal and his girlfriend Barbara Sawyer became engaged and planned to marry when Herbert returned sometime in July or August 1951.

Then came April 22, 1951. Charlie company was dug in on a barren Korean hillside at Chungchon and had reason to believe that the enemy was near. The forward observation team was sent out in front of the main defense perimeter to provide early warning. If an assault did come, it would be the job of the team to call artillery fire down on the attackers.

1^st Lt. Donovan, the team leader, took the additional precaution of sending Pfc. Littleton to a nearby hilltop to establish an observation post. If Littleton saw sign of movement he was to notify Donovan, who would bring the rest of the team forward.

The night passed slowly but suddenly, there was movement. Fellow Marine Corporal Miller: "…on the morning of April 22, three members of the team and myself were aroused by Pfc. Herbert Littleton, who was on watch, at approximately 1:00 A.M., when the company was being assaulted by the enemy. We called for normal barrage fire and then moved about twenty (20) yards to a better observation post. Pfc. Littleton and Lieutenant Donovan were standing by the radio adjusting fire while Pfc. Hunter and myself were about five (5) feet away."[vi] In the moonlight, the radio's antenna was visible.

Lt. Donavon: "Littleton!"
"Yes, sir."
"Take care of that radio."
"Yes, sir."[vii]

The radio. A 65-pound piece of equipment strapped to the back of a member of the Artillery Forward Observation Team of Company C, 1^st Battalion, 7^th Marines, 1^st Marine Division (Reinforced). The lifeline in an emergency. That team member, Pfc. Herbert, 'Herbie' to his friends, 'Hal' to his family, Littleton.

Then a small dark object came rolling over the top of the hill. A grenade! And the remainder of the team had just arrived!

Fellow Marine Corporal Hunter: "…Pfc. Herbert Littleton, the radio operator, was about six feet from me when a grenade came over the top of the ridge and rolled into our midst. He without hesitation jumped upon the grenade as it blew up."⁶

Littleton had slipped out of his radio harness and taken the full impact of the grenade. It lifted him off the ground and tossed him about five yards down the hill landing him against a tree.

Commemorative 'Dog Tag' issued as part of 50^th Anniversary of Korean Conflict.[viii]

Corporal Hunters continues: "…he saved the rest of the team and the radio from serious injury and enabled us to continue radio operations. Pfc. Littleton's actions made it possible for us to continue directing the artillery fire and force the enemy to withdraw."⁶

Lt. Donovan: "He saved my life, he saved his radio, and he saved Charley Company. We would have been overrun if it wasn't for that piece of equipment that Herbie shook off his back."⁷ …"Pfc. Littleton's actions were instrumental in our ability to continue directing fire effectively on the enemy and to repulse the enemy counter attack."⁶The other two eyewitness reports echo Lt Donovan's comments; Pfc. Littleton had saved the radio and Charlie Company.

Pfc. Littleton was laid to rest at Kohler Lawn Cemetery in Nampa, Idaho (R-388-3-1). He was gone but he was definitely not forgotten.

On 31 March 1952, the Secretary of the Navy approved a befitting award. On 19 August 1952, the Medal of Honor was presented to Herbert's family in Boise Idaho.

For several years his medal was on display in Spearfish South Dakota at a monument constructed by the VFW.

According to the Marine Corp, "Pfc. Littleton was the 16^th Marine to receive the Medal of Honor for Korean fighting."⁶

Littleton's other awards include the Purple Heart, US Presidential Unit Citation, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal with 3 bronze stars, the UN Service Medal and the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation.

Other honors/memorials include:

OIn 1963, Littleton Field, Marine Corps Regimental Athletic grounds in Korea was dedicated. Also in 1963, the first annual Littleton Memorial Marksmanship Trophy was presented at Camp Pendleton, California.

OIn 1974, The Herbert A Littleton Memorial was dedicated in Spearfish South Dakota.

OIn 1984 the Littleton family received a letter from Camp Pendleton. The Marine Corps wanted to name a street in a new housing area at Camp Pendleton after Littleton. The Caldwell VFW helped raise funds so that Mrs. Littleton could attend the ceremony and on November 30, 1984, Littleton Court was dedicated.

Herbert's mother and Maj(Ret) Donovan at Littleton Court

OOn April 22, 1995, 44 years to the day of Herbert's selfless act, the city of Caldwell dedicated the Littleton Medal of Honor Monument and Plaza.The memorial is located at 809 Blaine, Caldwell, Idaho.

Caldwell's Littleton Plaza

Caption reads:

Dedicated To PFC Herbert A "Hal" Littleton United States Marine Corps Reserve Killed In Action April 22, 1951, Korea. Posthumously Awarded Our Nations Highest Award The Medal Of Honor, "For Actions Above And Beyond The Call Of Duty." Signed Into Law By President Harry S Truman For The 82^nd Congress. This Monument Dedicated April 22, 1995 A.D. 11:00 AM.

OOn 6 November 1998, Littleton Hall at Twentynine Palms, California (The Marine Corps Communications-Electronics School) was dedicated.

OOn September 7, 2000, in Spearfish, South Dakota, the PFC Herbert A Littleton Medal of Honor Monument was rededicated. Joining the family was Barbara Sawyer, Herbert's fiancée.

OIn May 2001, a Barracks for Wing Support Squadron 171, Marine Corps Air Station in Iwakuni, Japan was dedicated to Littleton.

Pfc. Herbert A Littleton, his parents didn't give him a middle name, just an A…so did Charlie Company.

UPDATE: In January 1965, Senator Frank Church contacted the USMC regarding Littleton's accreditation; the USMC had credited his medal to South Dakota.

A letter dated January 15, 1965, was sent from the USMC HQ in Washington DC to Senator Church informing him that:

"In view of your request, all records will be changed to show Idaho as his legal residence and all information given for future publications or publicity will reflect such change. Due to shortage of funds the Navy has been unable to publish an addendum to the book 'Medal of Honor, the Navy' furnishing information concerning Navy and Marine Corps personnel awarded the Medal of Honor for service in Korea. If such addendum is published in the future, it will show Idaho as the state to which the late Private Littleton is accredited."

The letter is signed by the Assistant Director of Personnel, Col Atkinson. Herbert A Littleton' medal brings the total number of Medals of Honor accredited to Idaho to 10. Editors Note: A very special thank you to Mrs. Darlene Littleton, and Mrs. Chuck Littleton, Herbert's sisters-in-law, for their assistance in making this story possible.

“Shedding Light On Idaho’s Military History”

March 2002

Museum Hosts Bataan Death March Survivor

Herbert A Littleton