THE WALL OF FACES

Dear Sgt Walter Singleton, Thank you for your service as a Machine Gunner, and for your Medal of Honor. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. Happy Presidents' Day. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage, guidance and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

I had the distinct honor of serving with Zeke for the short time I was with A 1/9. Met him in Oct 66 at Camp Schwab while 1/9 was regrouping to go back into country. We were friends and would hang out at the EM club for a few brews. A very likeable Marine one to be proud to call him a friend. He had a brother that was in 1/9 also and when it was time to leave Okinawa for Operation "Deckhouse V" they flipped a coin to see which would go. He told me he wasn't sure if he won or lost because he went. The rest is history. Think of him often and have visited his resting place. If we say their name often, they will never be forgotten. Semper Fi Zeke.

While I was with A-1-9 some Marines in my company were awarded the MOH, Navy Cross, Silver Stars, Bronze Stars and Purple Hearts. Some Alpha Marines were wounded two and three times. Sgt Singleton was a supply Sgt. while the company was at Camp Schwab Okinawa. We had just got back to Okinawa aboard the USS Iwo Jima. 1/9 had just finished Operation Deckhouse V in the Mekong Delta. My 13 month tour was over then. I was ordered home from Okinawa about the 1st of Feb. 1966. Alpha and the rest of 1/9 then went back to Vietnam aboard US Naval ships. Sgt. Singleton later was awarded his MOH posthumously while fighting with Alpha 1/9. RIP.

I served with Sgt. Singleton in "A" 1/9. He epitomizes the Marine Corps. Proud to have served with you Sarge.

Walter Keith Singleton
Date of birth: December 7, 1944
Date of death: March 24, 1967
Burial location: Memphis, Tennessee
Place of Birth: Tennessee, Memphis
Home of record: Memphis Tennessee
Status: KIA

AWARDS AND CITATIONS

Medal of Honor

Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to Sergeant Walter Keith Singleton (MCSN: 2056158), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty on 24 March 1967, while serving with Company A, First Battalion, Ninth Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force, in action against armed enemy forces in the Gio Linh District, Quang Tri Province, Republic of Vietnam. Sergeant 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, Sergeant 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 eight of the enemy and drove the remainder from the hedgerow. Sergeant 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.

Action Date: 24-Mar-67

Service: Marine Corps

Rank: Sergeant

Company: Company A

Battalion: 1st Battalion

Regiment: 9th Marines

Division: 3d Marine Division (Rein.) FMF