The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Colonel Kenneth J. Houghton (MCSN: 0-13965), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Operations Staff Officer in the European/Middle East Division, Operations Directorate, Joint Staff Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from 8 April 1964 to 1 February 1967. Colonel Houghton developed and coordinated a succession of urgent, complex, and difficult military political analyses, studies, contingency plans, and recommended actions required by the Joint Chiefs of Staff and higher authorities, which contributed significantly toward the maintenance of United States and Allied rights in Berlin and the accomplishment of United States objectives in Southeast Asia. Among these were proposals for countering Soviet East German helicopter flights over West Berlin, which he had developed in detail in collaboration with field commanders. Also, during the April 1965 crisis on the Berlin Autobahn, his astute assessment of the situation and lucid presentation of the facts and possible courses of action to the decision makers, enabled the United States, along with her Allies to prevent the escalation of a major crisis in Berlin into a major confrontation. He participated and provided significant contributions in an evaluations report of the air campaigns in Southeast Asia for use in the highest governmental levels. He was instrumental in developing statements of policy and actual procedures for the Department of Defense and State regarding United States prisoners of war and detainees in North Vietnam. By his outstanding professional competence, judgment, and inspiring devotion to duty throughout, Colonel Houghton reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Legion of Merit
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Legion of Merit
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Silver Star
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Navy Cross
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
ColonelRegiment:
5th MarinesDivision:
1st Marine Division (Rein.), FMFAction Date:
April 25, 1967
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Colonel Kenneth J. Houghton (MCSN: 0-13965), United States Marine Corps, for gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Commanding Officer of the Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. While involved in planning for the redeployment of his unit, Colonel Houghton was alerted to a suspected enemy troop buildup in the Thang Binh/Hip Duc Valley south of DaNang and immediately called upon all intelligence sources to confirm the position and size of the hostile force. Realizing the need for speed in exploiting this opportunity to destroy a large enemy force, he commenced search and destroy operations on 25 April 1967 which launched Operation UNION. In order to better control and direct his attacking battalions, Colonel Houghton displaced his command post forward. From this position he reacted instantly and moved to join the battalion most heavily engaged with the enemy to maintain his regiment’s momentum and to personally supervise the maneuver of his command. While visiting the forward command posts of his battalions, Colonel Houghton often was exposed to direct hostile fire. His presence in these forward areas was an inspiration to all who observed him and to those who served with him. In addition to his own unit, he maintained continuous coordination with five battalions of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam and with the SEVENTH Fleet Special Landing Force which had been committed to the operation. On 12 May, intelligence sources fixed the enemy’s position in proximity to the regiment. Requesting the Allied Forces to assume blocking positions, he directed the swift engagement and methodical destruction of the enemy force, which included a well trained and equipped North Vietnamese Regiment, utilizing all forces available. As a result of Colonel Houghton’s expertly conceived and skillfully directed operation, the Fifth Marines inflicted over 865 enemy dead, 777 probably killed, 173 captured and destroyed hundreds of emplacements and caves. By his uncommon leadership, courageous actions, outstanding professional ability and selfless devotion to duty, Colonel Houghton contributed significantly to the accomplishment of his unit’s mission and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
Brigadier GeneralAction Date:
May 1972 – August 1972
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Legion of Merit to Brigadier General Kenneth J. Houghton (MCSN: 0-13965), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Chief of Staff, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific, from February 1970 to May 1972, and as Chief of Staff/Deputy Commander from May 1972 through August 1972. Exercising an outstandingly high degree of professional competence, leadership ability, foresightedness, and dedication, Brigadier General Houghton was eminently successful in providing Force Headquarters with consistently superior managerial and organizational support, and played a leading role in carrying out the efficient and economically sound deployment of Fleet Marine Force, pacific, and other allied Marine forces from the Republic of Vietnam. In addition to his invaluable contributions toward molding redeployed Marine units into a force-in-readiness with the capability of responding instantly to contingencies anywhere in the Eastern and Western Pacific Ocean areas, Brigadier General Houghton reorganized the Force Headquarters and staff to improve overall effectiveness, coordinated the establishment of human affairs and career planning programs, and cultivated exceptionally harmonious relationships with the civilian community. By his distinguished performance of duty, Brigadier General Houghton reflected great credit upon himself and the Marine Corps, and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
ColonelAction Date:
February 28, 1967 – February 27, 1968
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Colonel Kenneth J. Houghton (MCSN: 0-13965), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer of the Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division and subsequently as the Assistant Chief of Staff, G-2, Third Marine Amphibious Force in connection with military operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam from 28 February 1967 to 27 February 1968. During this period, Colonel Houghton performed his myriad and demanding duties in an exemplary and highly professional manner. As Regimental Commander, he consistently displayed exceptional leadership and initiative in the skillful manner in which he utilized all available assets to direct elements of his command during numerous combat operations. His superior knowledge of tactics, keen insight and intuitive understanding of enemy capabilities inspired all who served under his dynamic leadership and contributed materially to the outstanding success his unit achieved in each engagement with the enemy. During Operation UNIOIN, he ably planned, coordinated and led his units in a decisive defeat of an estimated two enemy regiments. During Operation ADAIR, his regiment aggressively pursued the hostile forces into the mountains, and in large measure due to his sound tactical judgment and leadership, accounted for seventy-four enemy confirmed killed. Reassigned on 2 July 1967 as the Assistant Chief of Staff, G-2, Colonel Houghton exhibited exceptional resourcefulness, ingenuity and a thorough knowledge of military tactics and strategy, which materially enhanced the expanding intelligence effort of the Third Marine Amphibious Force throughout the I Corps Tactical Zone. By his superior professional skill, resourceful leadership and inspiring devotion to duty throughout, Colonel Houghton contributed significantly to the accomplishment of his units’ missions and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service. (Colonel Houghton is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
CaptainBatallion:
Headquarters BattalionDivision:
1st Marine Division (Rein.)Action Date:
September 19, 1950
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Kenneth J. Houghton (MCSN: 0-13965), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of Reconnaissance Company, Headquarters Battalion, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 19 September 1950. Assigned to lead a small detachment in a reconnaissance of an enemy held shore line, Captain Houghton successfully swam the Han River, reconnoitered the beaches and nearby town and, returning with his patrol to the shore, was attacked by intense hostile small arms, machine gun and mortar fire. Repeatedly exposing himself to the enemy barrage, he directed and supervised the destruction of his equipment and then ordered his men into the water. Undeterred by the pain from wounds inflicted by hostile mortar fire, which also wounded several others while the patrol was swimming back, he continued to swim, with assistance, to a friendly amphibious vehicle and subsequently reported information of vital importance to division intelligence. His aggressive initiative, tactical ability and courageous actions were contributing factors in permitting the neutralization of enemy positions by friendly air strikes and in preventing an ambush of the main landing force. His undaunted devotion to duty reflects great credit upon Captain Houghton and the United States Naval Service.
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Navy Cross
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
ColonelRegiment:
5th MarinesDivision:
1st Marine Division (Rein.) FMFAction Date:
May 26 – June 5, 1967
Authority: Navy Department Board of Decorations and MedalsThe President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Colonel Kenneth J. Houghton (MCSN: 0-13965), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism as Commanding Officer, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force, in the Republic of Vietnam from 26 May to 5 June 1967. The Fifth Marine Regiment was launched on Operation UNION II to track down the remnants of the 21st North Vietnamese Regiment, which had been thoroughly decimated by them nine days previous. Responding to intelligence reports that the enemy was attempting to withdraw to the western mountains, Colonel Houghton committed two battalions in pursuit. The First Battalion swept overland while the Third Battalion was enveloped by helicopter near Cam La. The Third Battalion met with heavy resistance, but completely overran the enemy positions, causing many casualties. He was constantly in the operational area, bravely exposing himself to all the hazards of the battlefield. Colonel Houghton revised his tactics when intelligence reports indicated a much larger enemy force in the area, which was identified as the 3d North Vietnamese Regiment and pointed to a buildup along the Suio Cau Doi River, in the vicinity of Vinh Huy (2). Instantly reacting, he launched his attack from the east, with the First and Third Battalions abreast and the Second in reserve. On 2 June, the First Battalion came under intense enemy mortar, recoilless rifle and automatic weapons fire, indicating contact with the main force of the 3d North Vietnamese Army force. While the First and Third Battalions maintained heavy pressure on the enemy, he committed the Second Battalion to assault the enemy’s flank. Although wounded at this time, he continued to aggressively advance on the enemy with renewed determination. Colonel Houghton launched a bold night attack which smashed through the enemy defenses, and annihilated the large enemy force. By his outstanding leadership, gallant fighting spirit and bold initiative, he contributed materially to the success of the FIRST Marine Division, thereby upholding the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.