Bravery of Sgt. Walter K. Singleton

Walter K. Singleton served as a supply sergeant in Company A, 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division. On December 11, 1966, he and his unit were deployed to South Vietnam from Okinawa.

On March 24, 1967, during Operation Prairie III, his battalion was engaged in intense combat in the Gio Linh District of Quang Tri Province. That day, Company A encountered a powerful, entrenched enemy force near the village of Phu An, and the Marines soon came under intense fire. The lead platoon suffered significant casualties, and corpsmen were struggling to evacuate the wounded from the exposed battlefield.

Despite his rearward position in relative safety, Sergeant Singleton immediately moved forward under heavy fire to aid his comrades. Seeing the dire situation of his platoon, he made a courageous decision to take direct action, grabbing a machine gun and launching a solo assault on the enemy’s fortified position. Braving relentless fire, Singleton advanced on the enemy, suppressing their assault long enough to allow the wounded Marines to be moved out of danger. With remarkable courage, he pushed forward, managing to eliminate eight enemy soldiers and neutralize their position. His actions forced the remaining fighters to retreat, giving his unit a crucial reprieve.

However, during this heroic assault, Singleton was fatally wounded by enemy fire. His selfless actions, bravery, and sacrifice saved the lives of several fellow Marines that day. For his extraordinary heroism and dedication to his comrades, Walter K. Singleton was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.