Navy Federal Credit Union

William Litton graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Class of 1940. He was credited with shooting down an enemy airplane on November 24, 1943 and then again on Christmas Day 1943. He was later shot down in the European Theater of Action and was held as a Prisoner of War until the end of the war. He died in an air accident on November 2, 1951.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    96th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    82d Fighter Group

    Division:

    15th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) William Powell Litton (ASN: 0-23300), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Commanding Officer, 96th Fighter Squadron, 82d Fighter Group, FIFTEENTH Air Force, during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    96th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    82d Fighter Group

    Division:

    15th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    Headquarters, 15th Air Force, General Orders No. 2420 (August 8, 1944)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) William Powell Litton (ASN: 0-23300), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action while serving as Pilot of a P-38 Lightning Fighter Airplane and as Commanding Officer of the 96th Fighter Squadron, 82d Fighter Group, FIFTEENTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in the European Theater of Operations, in 1944. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Lieutenant Colonel Litton, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps)

    Regiment:

    82d Fighter Group

    Division:

    15th Air Force

    Action Date:

    1943 – 1944

    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) William Powell Litton (ASN: 0-23300), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer, 82d Fighter Group, FIFTEENTH Air Force, from 1943 to 1944.

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps)

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (Germany)

    Action Date:

    August 1944 – May 1945

    Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) William Powell Litton (ASN: 0-23300), United States Army Air Forces, was captured by German forces after he was shot down on or about 4 August 1944, and was held as a Prisoner of War until the end of hostilities in May 1945.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    96th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    82d Fighter Group

    Division:

    15th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    Headquarters, 15th Air Force, General Orders No. 262 (April 22, 1944)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) William Powell Litton (ASN: 0-23300), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-38 Lightning Fighter Airplane and as Commanding Officer of the 96th Fighter Squadron, 82d Fighter Group, FIFTEENTH Air Force, in aerial operations in the over Romania, in 1943 and 1944. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Lieutenant Colonel Litton, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    96th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    82d Fighter Group

    Division:

    15th Air Force

    Action Date:

    December 1943

    Headquarters, U.S. Army-Mediterranean Theater of Operations, General Orders No. 61 (December 31, 1944)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) William Powell Litton (ASN: 0-23300), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-38 Fighter Airplane and Commanding Officer of the 96th Fighter Squadron, 82d Fighter Group, FIFTEENTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces in the Mediterranean Theater of Action on 24 November and 25 December 1943. On each of these dates Colonel Litton destroyed an enemy airplane in aerial combat. Lieutenant Colonel Litton’s unquestionable valor in aerial combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 15th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.